The Yangwang U9 Xtreme sets a stunning Nürburgring Nordschleife record of 6:59.157, beating the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra to become the fastest production electric sports car ever.
A New Reign in the Electric Speed Era
The hierarchy of high-performance EVs has shifted again. Chinese manufacturer Yangwang has rewritten Nürburgring history with its flagship model, the U9 Xtreme, clocking a breathtaking lap time of 6 minutes 59.157 seconds on the legendary Nordschleife.
This achievement dethrones the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, which previously held the title at 7 minutes 04.957 seconds — a full five-second margin on one of the most demanding 20.8 km tracks in the world. It marks a milestone moment in the rapidly evolving rivalry among China’s new-generation performance brands.
300 mph Ambition: The Electric Rocket
The Nürburgring run was not just a demonstration of brute speed but also a showcase of Yangwang’s engineering ambition. On the track’s punishing mix of corners and elevation changes, the U9 Xtreme maintained extraordinary average pace while staying composed.
According to the company, the car has the potential to reach a staggering 308 mph (≈ 495 km/h) — placing it among the fastest electric vehicles ever conceived.
Since July 2024, Yangwang has been conducting development sessions at the ’Ring, feeding telemetry into its intelligent control system to fine-tune power distribution and thermal management. The goal was never just to beat Xiaomi — it was to redefine what an electric supercar can achieve on the world’s toughest circuit.
Behind the Wheel: Moritz Kranz
At the controls for the record attempt was seasoned German racer Moritz Kranz, a driver with over 60 victories across GT4, GT3 and LMP3 categories.
The car he piloted remained fundamentally a production U9 Xtreme, though it received minor track-oriented upgrades:
- Next-generation liquid-cooling system preventing heat-induced power drop,
- Titanium-alloy carbon-ceramic brakes for extreme stopping performance,
- Semi-slick tires optimized for peak grip through high-speed corners.
Yangwang emphasized that the car complied fully with production specifications, making this lap officially valid for the “fastest production EV” title.
Quad-Motor Power: 2,959 hp and 1,200-Volt Architecture
At the heart of the U9 Xtreme lies a four-motor powertrain producing a combined 2,959 hp (2,205 kW). Each motor spins up to 30,000 rpm and is independently controlled via a 1,200-volt ultra-high-voltage platform.
This configuration allows micro-second torque vectoring — each wheel receiving the exact power it needs in real time, maximizing traction, balance and cornering stability.
The result is instant acceleration and razor-sharp agility that blurs the line between digital precision and mechanical control.
Design: Aggression Meets Refinement
Visually, the U9 Xtreme looks more like a spacecraft than a traditional supercar. Its low aerodynamic nose, oversized air intakes and carbon-fiber surfacing communicate unfiltered performance intent.
As the luxury sub-brand of BYD, Yangwang describes this design language as “the fusion of technology and beauty.” It’s a philosophy that extends beyond styling — a statement that performance and aesthetics can coexist in perfect equilibrium.
Thanks to meticulous aerodynamics, the U9 remains remarkably stable at high speed, proving that form and function truly align in the electric age.
BYD’s Official Statement
Stella Li, Vice President of BYD, praised the team’s accomplishment:
“The limited-production U9 Xtreme proves it’s not only among the world’s fastest cars in a straight line but also capable of record-breaking balance and agility on one of the world’s most complex tracks. This achievement demonstrates how far electric performance has come.”
The brand also confirmed that the name “Xtreme” is a stylized interpretation of the English word “Extreme” — a fitting badge for such an audacious machine.
The Electric Throne Battle: Xiaomi vs. Yangwang
Behind the record lies an ongoing duel between China’s two rising giants. Xiaomi’s SU7 Ultra had previously dominated with a 7:04.957 lap, while a prototype version once posted a blistering 6:22 — but that run didn’t qualify as a production record.
Now, Yangwang’s 6:59.157 lap gives it official supremacy. With production limited to just 30 units, the U9 Xtreme will soon become one of the most collectible and technically significant electric supercars of its era.
This battle is more than a rivalry; it’s a reflection of China’s growing confidence in competing head-to-head with traditional European performance brands on their home turf.
Nürburgring: The Symbol of the Electric Era
The Nürburgring Nordschleife has long been regarded as the ultimate test of automotive engineering — a proving ground that separates hype from hardware.
By breaking the seven-minute barrier, the U9 Xtreme proves that electric vehicles are no longer chasing combustion engines — they’re surpassing them. The age of quiet speed is over; this is the era of electrified dominance.
Piston Kafalar Comment
Yangwang’s success is more than a headline — it’s a declaration that the electric performance war has truly begun. The U9 Xtreme demonstrates that precision engineering, high-voltage architecture and fearless design can deliver both numbers and emotion.
While European brands defined Nürburgring supremacy for decades, it’s now clear that China’s innovators have joined the conversation — and they’re speaking in lap records.
The 6:59 benchmark may soon fall again, but for now, the crown belongs to Yangwang.
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