Story no.162InternationalOngoingMotorsport +3Serious Several countries (5)31 Oct → 8 Nov10 facts · 290 art.
BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme: record above 500 km/h after crash
BYD has broken the 500 km/h barrier with its Yangwang U9 Xtreme in Abu Dhabi, beating its own record for the fastest production car, after releasing footage of a crash that occurred in China during an attempt at around 400 km/h and announcing a new attempt. This result fuels competition among Chinese electric vehicles on performance, with Xiaomi having on its side set a record lap at the Nürburgring with the revised SU7 Ultra and claimed 496.22 km/h. Coverage differs: China and the Emirates mainly follow the BYD record and crash, Germany focuses on the Nürburgring and the debate over the scope of these performances, while Brazil relays the crossing of 500 km/h. France also covers, on the sidelines, a BMW M3 retrospective at Epoqu'auto.
In brief
Ongoing story bringing together 10 events involving BYD, Xiaomi Auto and BMW, in 5 countries (Chine, Émirats arabes unis, Allemagne and 2 more), followed from 31 October 2026 to 8 November 2026. 290 articles from 57 sources (motorsport, electric and batteries, launches and reviews and 1 more); last updated on 8 November 2026 at 00:12. Figures reported: 30 vehicles.
National stories
- China1 fait · 40 art.
- France1 fait · 29 art.
- United States93 art.
- Brazil29 art.
- Spain17 art.
- India12 art.
- Germany10 art.
- Italy8 art.
- United Kingdom7 art.
- South Africa5 art.
- Netherlands4 art.
- Australia4 art.
- Switzerland3 art.
- United Arab Emirates3 art.
- Japan2 art.
- Sri Lanka2 art.
- Vietnam2 art.
- Mexico2 art.
- Ukraine2 art.
Confirmed(8)
- 18
BYD's Yangwang U9 Xtreme reached 503.17 km/h in Abu Dhabi.
18 independent sourcesBusiness Today, Portal N10, Motor1.com, XenoSpectrum, autoherald.co.kr +13
- 10
BYD presents the Yangwang U9 Xtreme as the first production car to exceed 500 km/h.
10 independent sourcesGeo News, ArenaEV, Repórter Maceió, Zamin.uz, Gaadiwaadi.com +5
- 6
The Yangwang U9 Xtreme received two Guinness World Records titles.
6 independent sourcesPortal N10, Quatro Rodas, caranddriver.com, Gaadiwaadi.com, kuruma-news.jp +1
- 5
The reached speed is presented as higher than 312 mph, or about 503 km/h.
5 independent sourcescaranddriver.com, autoherald.co.kr, autoevolution, Interesting Engineering, Autonocion.com
- 3
The attempt is described as a one-way run, leaving intact SSC's round-trip record.
3 independent sourceselectrive.com, electrive.net, GlobalChinaEV
- 3
The attempt was carried out on a public road in Abu Dhabi.
3 independent sourcescaranddriver.com, autoevolution, Motor1.com
- 3
The Yangwang U9 Xtreme develops about 3,000 hp, or 3,019 hp according to one outlet.
3 independent sourcess2pmag, kuruma-news.jp, Infoseek
- 2
The FIA recognized the record.
2 independent sourcesQuatro Rodas, Gaadiwaadi.com
Sources disagree(2)
Announced speed
- 503.17 km/haccording to Business Today, Portal N10, Motor1.com, XenoSpectrum, autoherald.co.kr +13
- 502.5 km/haccording to motorpasion.com.mx
Number of Guinness World Records
- two recordsaccording to Portal N10, Quatro Rodas, caranddriver.com, Gaadiwaadi.com, kuruma-news.jp +1
- four recordsaccording to Motor1.com
Single source so far(2)
- BYD states that the Yangwang U9 Xtreme beat its previous record of 496.22 km/h set in Germany in September 2025. (according to Gaadiwaadi.com)
- The official test took place on November 1 on the E11 highway in Abu Dhabi. (according to autoherald.co.kr)
Updates(4)
- 6 Nov, 10h13Record broken: 503.17 km/h reached in Abu Dhabi on November 1, 2026, after announcing a new attempt.
- 5 Nov, 09h01BYD integrated the crash footage into a promotional video.
- 5 Nov, 09h01The driver allegedly waited a week before telling his wife.
- 5 Nov, 09h01The crash video sequence is presented as old by one outlet.
AI cross-check of the headlines and extracts of 60 articles (50 outlets) · “confirmed” = reported by at least two independent outlets, or by the manufacturer’s official press room · 8 Nov, 01h51
Checked on the web(3)
- Confirmed
BYD's Yangwang U9 Xtreme reached 503.17 km/h in Abu Dhabi.
Sources: autonext.co, autoesporte.globo.com, autoesporte.globo.com, theevreport.com, media.byd.com
8 Nov, 01h52
- Confirmed
BYD presents the Yangwang U9 Xtreme as the first production car to exceed 500 km/h.
Sources: autonext.co, autoesporte.globo.com, uol.com.br, theevreport.com, autonext.co
7 Nov, 21h50
- Confirmed
BYD states that the Yangwang U9 Xtreme beat its previous record of 496.22 km/h set in Germany in September 2025.
Sources: autonext.co, electrive.com, autoesporte.globo.com, theevreport.com, autoesporte.globo.com
8 Nov, 01h52
Automatic web search, official sources first · “contradicted” only when an official source is cited
Context and reference points, separate from the story's news. Every item links to its source; updated on 8 Nov
Reference points
- The Bugatti Chiron SuperSport 300+ is presented as the world's fastest production car with a top speed of 490 km/h. Wikipedia
Key terms
- Production car
- An indefinite term that, in the context of speed records, applies to vehicles produced in at least thirty units. Wikipedia
- Speed record
- The land speed record concerns the fastest speed reached by any wheeled land vehicle, excluding two-wheelers and guided vehicles; to limit wind interaction, an average speed is calculated from two trips between two fixed points, by an outbound and return run performed within less than one hour of each other. Wikipedia
- Nürburgring
- Motor racing circuit located in Nürburg and surrounding villages in the Ahrweiler region of Germany, best known for its North Loop ("Nordschleife") of over 20 kilometers, considered one of the most difficult circuits. Wikipedia
What happens next?
What usually happens in this kind of situation — without prejudging the outcome.
- Generally, the FIA defines the vehicle categories concerned by record attempts, including category B for series-produced automobiles at the time of the record attempt request. Wikipedia
- Generally, an average speed is calculated from two trips between two fixed points, by an outbound and return run performed within less than one hour of each other. Wikipedia
Timeline
newest firstDot = severity
- 15h26
LatestLe prince héritier d'Abu Dhabi s'entretient avec BYD du record de vitesse
Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed a rencontré le vice-président exécutif de BYD pour revenir sur le record de vitesse mondial établi à Abu Dhabi par la Yangwang U9 Xtreme.
مكتب أبوظبي الإعلاميbignewsnetwork.comwww.wam.ae+1 outlet
- 14h12
FranceEpoqu'auto 2026 : une exposition célèbre les 40 ans de la BMW M3
Le salon Epoqu'auto de Lyon propose une rétrospective réunissant une vingtaine de BMW M3 de toutes générations, dont des versions de compétition et CSL, pour les 40 ans du modèle.
largus.fr
- 08h01
La Yangwang U9 Xtreme dépasse les 500 km/h et bat son record
L'hypercar électrique Yangwang U9 Xtreme de BYD a officiellement franchi la barre des 500 km/h, battant son propre record de voiture de série la plus rapide du monde.
CaradisiacHíbridos y EléctricosAuto Plus+137 outlets
In figures
Countries concerned
Several countries (5)
Brands concerned
- BYD (Yangwang U9, U9 Xtreme, U9, Yangwang U9 Xtreme)
- Xiaomi Auto (SU7 Ultra)
- BMW (M3)
Key figures
- 30
- véhicules
Amounts cited3 million USD · $3-Million · 3 milioni di dollari · 2,7 Millionen Euro · $3 Million
Highest number recorded in 71 article(s), automatically extracted: please check sources.
Sources by country and language
Press country
| Articles | Outlets | |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 93 | 53 |
| China | 40 | 17 |
| Brazil | 29 | 22 |
| France | 29 | 20 |
| Spain | 17 | 13 |
| India | 12 | 7 |
| Germany | 10 | 8 |
| Unknown country | 10 | 10 |
| Italy | 8 | 5 |
| United Kingdom | 7 | 6 |
| South Africa | 5 | 4 |
| Australia | 4 | 2 |
| Netherlands | 4 | 2 |
| United Arab Emirates | 3 | 3 |
| Switzerland | 3 | 3 |
| Japan | 2 | 2 |
| Sri Lanka | 2 | 2 |
| Mexico | 2 | 2 |
| Ukraine | 2 | 2 |
| Vietnam | 2 | 1 |
| Canada | 1 | 1 |
| Indonesia | 1 | 1 |
| South Korea | 1 | 1 |
| Malaysia | 1 | 1 |
| Sweden | 1 | 1 |
| Uzbekistan | 1 | 1 |
Languages
| Articles | Outlets | |
|---|---|---|
| English | 136 | 89 |
| Portuguese | 34 | 27 |
| Chinese | 34 | 15 |
| French | 32 | 23 |
| Spanish | 22 | 18 |
| German | 12 | 10 |
| Italian | 8 | 5 |
| Dutch | 4 | 2 |
| Unknown | 4 | 1 |
| Japanese | 2 | 2 |
| Korean | 1 | 1 |
| Russian | 1 | 1 |
Country of the outlet (not of the topic), inferred from its address and language. Each outlet counts once per row.
Further reading
Organisations cited
Places cited
Go up the thread
Events in the story
- La Xiaomi SU7 Ultra restylée signe un nouveau record du tour au Nürburgring8 Nov
- La Yangwang U9 Xtreme dépasse les 500 km/h et bat son record7 Nov
- Le prince héritier d'Abu Dhabi s'entretient avec BYD du record de vitesse6 Nov
- Epoqu'auto 2026 : une exposition célèbre les 40 ans de la BMW M36 Nov
- BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme supercar wrecked in China6 Nov
- BYD releases footage of damaged Yangwang U9 Xtreme in promotional video5 Nov
- BYD prévoit une nouvelle tentative de record de vitesse malgré un crash à 400 km/h4 Nov
- Records de vitesse des électriques chinoises : U9 Xtreme et SU7 Ultra en débat4 Nov
- BYD targets 500 km/h speed record in Dubai3 Nov
- Xiaomi atteint 496,22 km/h et rend hommage à BYD3 Nov
Marques et groupes concernés
Countries concerned