BYD plans new speed record attempt

BYD, a Chinese carmaker, is considering a new record attempt with its Yangwang U9 Xtreme, aiming to exceed 500 km/h in Dubai. The company previously achieved a speed of 496.22 km/h on the ATP test track in Germany in September 2025, surpassing the top speed of the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ from 2019.

Official plans not yet confirmed

BYD's executive vice president, Stella Li, mentioned during an interview with Business SNA on July 6 in Abu Dhabi that the company plans to conduct a new attempt in Dubai in November. For this, the team would need a road of approximately 15 kilometers in length and obtain necessary permissions from local authorities.

Technical challenges at high speeds

However, the attempt is not yet officially organized, and the specific road or date has not been confirmed. The Yangwang U9 Xtreme is equipped with four electric motors developing a combined power of 2,220 kW, or approximately 3,000 horsepower. To reach 500 km/h, the vehicle must gain an additional 3.78 km/h, which presents a significant technical challenge at such speeds.

Key factors for a successful attempt

A long road is essential to allow the vehicle to accelerate gradually and safely decelerate and stop. The quality of the road surface, weather conditions, wind, tire resistance, aerodynamic stability, and braking capabilities are all critical factors. If the attempt is conducted on a road open to traffic, specific safety measures would be necessary, including the closure of the affected area.

BYD needs to secure location and permissions

BYD will first need to identify a suitable site and obtain the necessary permissions to proceed with the record attempt.