YANGWANG celebrates U9 Xtreme’s 503.17km/h world record with landmark Burj Khalifa display
YANGWANG, BYD’s flagship luxury new-energy vehicle brand, has celebrated the U9 Xtreme’s world-record 503.17km/h top-speed achievement with a major event in Dubai that featured a special light and projection display on the Burj Khalifa.
The evening showcase welcomed approximately 3,000 international media representatives and VIP guests from around the world, bringing a global audience together to celebrate incredible achievements in automotive performance, technological innovation and brand development.
A world-record milestone for electric performance
On 1 November 2026, the YANGWANG U9 Xtreme reached a top speed of 503.17 km/h on Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed International Road (E11) in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra Region, setting a pair of new Guinness World Records: highest speed achieved by a production car in a single-direction run, and highest speed achieved by an electric production car in a single-direction run. The speed has also been recognised by the FIA, the governing body of world motorsport.
Driven by racing driver Marc Basseng, the 3019PS all-electric hypercar surpassed its previous benchmark of 496.22 km/h, achieved at ATP Papenburg in Germany in September 2025. The 500 km/h threshold has been pursued by the automotive industry for a century, and YANGWANG’s engineers have taken production cars past it in just three years since the start of the U9 project.
Two days on the E11
The record was set over two days of running, with the full cooperation of the local authorities. In total, 10km of road was available for closure, with a longest straight of seven kilometres for the top-speed runs. The attempt underscores Abu Dhabi’s capacity to host landmark automotive achievements, supported by advanced infrastructure and close coordination with local authorities.
Two runs on 31 October produced a maximum speed of 490 km/h. YANGWANG’s engineers then worked overnight, adjusting the rear-wing angle to increase rear-axle downforce, reprofiling the suspension software, fine-tuning tyre pressures and optimising battery and motor temperatures ahead of each run. On 1 November, the first pass confirmed the gains and the second delivered the new record of 503.17 km/h.
Marc Basseng said: “Breaking a world record once is extraordinary but doing it again in such a different environment is truly special. At these extreme speeds every detail matters, and none of this would have been possible without the incredible YANGWANG engineering team.”
A landmark celebration on the Dubai skyline
The Burj Khalifa display formed the centrepiece of the celebration evening, bringing the U9 Xtreme’s achievement to one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks. A series of brand activities accompanied the display, giving guests further opportunities to discover YANGWANG and the technology behind its record-breaking vehicle.
For YANGWANG, the U9 Xtreme represents a continuing drive to explore how new-energy technology can extend the boundaries of automotive capability.
Lucas Bellieud, Managing Director of Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility, said: “For a production car to pass 500 km/h for the first time, on electric power and on a road in Abu Dhabi, says a great deal about where this industry is heading and the role the UAE is playing in it. The technology behind this record, from the Blade Battery to the intelligent body control, comes from the same engineering base as the vehicles our customers drive every day. We are proud that YANGWANG chose the UAE for this moment, and for what it shows drivers here about how far new-energy vehicles have come.”
Global brand recognition for BYD
During the evening, the World Branding Awards trophy was formally handed over to BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li, following BYD’s recognition as Brand of the Year in the Automobiles category at the Global Tier. The award was originally presented at Hampton Court Palace in London on 3 November.
Organised by the World Branding Forum, the awards assess brands through brand valuation, consumer market research and public online voting. Global Tier recognition honours international brands operating in at least 10 countries across three or more continents.
Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD, commented: “Reaching 503.17 km/h with the U9 Xtreme demonstrates what electric performance can achieve and reflects our engineers’ determination to push beyond established boundaries. At the same time, being named Global Brand of the Year in Automobiles is also a recognition of the trust our customers place in BYD. These achievements inspire us to keep exploring what technology can make possible, from extraordinary performance to sustainable mobility that makes a meaningful difference in people’s everyday lives.”
Celebrations to continue in Abu Dhabi
The Dubai evening forms part of a wider programme of celebrations in the United Arab Emirates. On 7 November, a 110-vehicle parade featuring YANGWANG, DENZA and BYD models will take place in Abu Dhabi, with the U9 Xtreme leading the convoy from West Park to Emirates Palace.
Together, the events are connecting the record-breaking vehicle with BYD’s wider new-energy vehicle portfolio, bringing international guests together to celebrate the achievement, explore sustainable technologies and look towards the future of mobility.
