- U9 Xtreme reached 503.17 km/h in Abu Dhabi.
- Record set on 1 November 2026.
- Two Guinness World Records, recognised by the FIA.
- Burj Khalifa light show in Dubai.
- 110-vehicle parade in Abu Dhabi on 7 November.
An evening event in Dubai, built around a light and projection display on the Burj Khalifa, has celebrated the top-speed run of the YANGWANG U9 Xtreme. The luxury new-energy vehicle brand of BYD welcomed approximately 3 000 international media representatives and VIP guests to the showcase.
U9 Xtreme world record details
On 1 November 2026, the all-electric hypercar reached 503.17 km/h (312.6mph) on Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed International Road (E11) in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra Region. The run set two 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 FIA, the governing body of world motorsport, has also recognised the speed.
Racing driver Marc Basseng was behind the wheel. His run beat the car’s previous mark of 496.22 km/h (308.3mph), achieved at ATP Papenburg in Germany in September 2025.
Burj Khalifa display and brand activities
The display on the tower formed the centrepiece of the evening. A series of brand activities ran alongside it, giving guests the chance to learn more about YANGWANG and the technology in the record car.
BYD named Brand of the Year
During the evening, BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li formally received the World Branding Awards trophy after the company was named Brand of the Year in the Automobiles category at the Global Tier. The award was first 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, and the Global Tier covers international brands operating in at least 10 countries across three or more continents.
Li said reaching 503.17 km/h “demonstrates what electric performance can achieve”, adding that the award “is also a recognition of the trust our customers place in BYD.”
Parade planned in Abu Dhabi
Further celebrations are scheduled 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.
Supplied by Newspress UK (BYD UK)
This story is based on aggregated news, press release(s) or other sources and was prepared with the help of AI tools, which can make mistakes. Prices, specifications, general information and availability may change, so confirm the details with the manufacturer, other news sources or a dealer.
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