The automotive industry witnessed a historic milestone on German soil with the establishment of a new maximum speed for production vehicles. The Yangwang U9 Xtreme model reached 496.22 km/h on the Papenburg test track, consolidating the evolution of electric engines compared to traditional combustion engines. The feat occurred on September 14th and was validated by certified measuring equipment, surpassing previous records from major European automakers.
The exceptional performance of the vehicle was driven by the German driver Marc Basseng, known for his victory in the 24 Horas Nürburgring. The achievement guaranteed the car the title of “Ano Moment” in the recently announced awards ceremony organized by the TopGear.com portal. Este recognition highlights the paradigm shift in the sector, where electricity begins to dominate ultra-performance levels.
Before reaching its final speed, the super sports car had already registered 472.41 km/h in preliminary tests, demonstrating consistency in the engineering project. The surpassing of the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ record, which was 490.48 km/h, symbolizes a new chapter in the rivalry between propulsion technologies.
Technical specifications and applied engineering
To withstand extreme speed demands, the vehicle platform operates at a high voltage of 1,200 volts, enabling faster and more efficient power discharges than conventional 800-volt systems. The powertrain is made up of four independent engines that, combined, deliver more than 3,000 horsepower.
The mechanical structure was developed by an extensive team of engineers and includes components vital for safety and stability:
- Battery with Blade lithium iron phosphate technology, capable of withstanding high discharge rates without critical overheating.
- DiSus-X suspension system specifically recalibrated to absorb lateral forces at speeds above 400 km/h.
- Semi-slick tires mounted on 20-inch wheels, designed to maximize grip on the smooth asphalt of the oval track.
- Aerodynamic design with extended track and modifications to the chassis to reduce total weight without losing rigidity.
Pilot Marc Basseng highlighted the fluid acceleration and the absence of mechanical vibrations, distinct characteristics of electric engines compared to combustion engines. The precision in torque delivery allowed the vehicle to exceed 450 km/h without experiencing instability, being slowed down as a safety precaution.
Performance on circuits and commercial plans
In addition to straight-line top speed, the model demonstrated dynamic capability on the complex Nürburgring circuit Nordschleife. The vehicle completed a lap in less than seven minutes, recording 6 minutes and 59.157 seconds, which puts it ahead of direct competitors in the production electric vehicle segment.
The manufacturer plans an extremely limited production for this high-performance model, restricting the supply to just 30 units intended for collectors. The estimated value for acquisition is around 1.68 million yuan, which is equivalent to approximately R$1.3 million in direct conversion, without considering import taxes.
The brand’s global expansion foresees the arrival of models based on this technology on the European market from 2027. Continuous development aims to apply track innovations, such as the all-wheel drive system and battery thermal management, in conventional passenger vehicles, raising the standard of energy efficiency in the future fleet.
Keywords: Yangwang U9, top speed, Chinese cars, world record, fastest electric hypercar in the world.
