BYD's Yangwang U9 Xtreme Tops 500km/h in Abu Dhabi as Brand Unveils Altior Saloon

The run beat the previous production-car record of 496.22km/h, which the U9 Xtreme itself set at the ATP Papenburg test track in Germany in September 2025, according to CarNewsChina. The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile recognised the result. Entrepreneur Middle East reported that it earned two Guinness World Records, for the highest speed by a production car and by an electric production car in a single-direction run, although some other reports put the number of Guinness titles higher. CarNewsChina named Marc Basseng as the driver.

The record is a statement about how far Chinese electric-car makers have pushed into the performance segment, long dominated by European marques. It also gave Abu Dhabi a showcase for using its roads for high-speed vehicle testing. Unlike most record attempts, which take place on purpose-built proving grounds, this one ran on a section of public motorway closed for the purpose, in heat, crosswinds and desert dust, CarNewsChina reported.

The U9 Xtreme runs on a 1,200-volt electrical system and uses four electric motors that spin at up to 30,000 rpm, with combined output of 2,220 kilowatts, according to CarNewsChina. The publication said BYD has confirmed that no more than 30 units will be built.

Yangwang, BYD's luxury brand, held the global premiere of the Altior at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi. The electric saloon is 5.6 metres long and seats four, with coach-style doors and a cabin built around the rear passengers. Entrepreneur Middle East reported that it is pitched against established ultra-luxury makers such as Rolls-Royce and Bentley. No price or delivery date was given in the reports.

After the two events, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, met Stella Li, BYD's executive vice president, to review the company's achievements.