China’s BYD U9 Xtreme EV creates world record, zooms past Bugatti Chiron Super Sport to become world's fastest ever production car; check speed and what makes the car special

China, a country known as the world's largest manufacturing industrial economy, has now achieved yet another record. U9 Xtreme EV, a car manufactured by the country’s BYD Company, surpassed the record of Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ and claimed the title of the world’s fastest car.

Yangwang U9 broke the 2019 record set by the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ at 490.4 kph (approximately 304 mph) when it clocked a speed of 496.22 kilometers per hour (308.3 mph). The record was achieved at the Papenburg test track in Germany, according to Ynet Global.

The car was driven by German test driver Marc Basseng. BYD released a video showing tire warm-ups ahead of the test run. The video also shows the historic moment the car hits its peak speed.

U9 Xtreme EV: How did BYD maximize the car’s output

The U9 Xtreme EV managed to reach a verified top speed of 496 km/h (308 mph) and officially dethroned the Bugatti Chiron. According to Ynet Global, the car is unofficially dubbed the U9X. The Chinese carmaker will manufacture only 30 units of the car.

Why is U9 Xtreme special

The car delivers a staggering 3,027 horsepower, more than double the 1,287 hp of the standard version, Ynet Global reported. The output achieved by the car was made possible because of the four electric motors using ultra-thin super silicon, which is just 0.1 millimeters thick in mass production for the first time. Each motor spins up to 30,000 rpm, producing 757 hp apiece.

The U9X became the first car to be equipped with the world’s first 1,200-volt electrical system, providing 170% more power density than the advanced 800-volt systems seen in today’s high-performance EVs.

The system brings down heat generation by 67% compared with 800-volt setups and allows for regenerative braking at an unmatched 700 kilowatts. The car also features BYD’s Disus-X suspension.