Story no.162InternationalOngoingMotorsport +2Notable Several countries (3)31 Oct → 5 Nov7 facts · 85 art.
BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme: speed records and crash in China
BYD is making multiple speed-record attempts with its Yangwang U9 Xtreme, one of which was destroyed in a crash in China without injuring the driver, and the brand plans to try again. Meanwhile, Xiaomi claims a 496.22 km/h record and a new Nordschleife lap time with its revised SU7 Ultra, fueling comparison of Chinese electric vehicle performance. These episodes are followed in several countries, with particularly dense coverage in the United States and China; Germany focuses on the debate over circuit records, while the United Arab Emirates hosts the top-speed attempts.
In brief
Ongoing story bringing together 7 events involving BYD and Xiaomi Auto, in 3 countries (Chine, Émirats arabes unis, Allemagne), followed from 31 October 2026 to 5 November 2026. 85 articles from 28 sources (motorsport, electric and batteries, recalls and safety); last updated on 5 November 2026 at 08:16. Figures reported: 9 vehicles.
National stories
Confirmed(10)
- 40
A BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme was destroyed in a high-speed crash during circuit testing in China.
40 independent sourcesWhichCar, Torquecafe, evwire.com, zhongauto.com, Caradisiac +35
- 23
The driver emerged uninjured from the crash and exited the wreckage under his own power.
23 independent sourcesevwire.com, zhongauto.com, Motor1.com, InsideEVs, Autoblog +18
- 11
The crash occurred during an attempt to exceed 500 km/h.
11 independent sourcesWhichCar, Caradisiac, Entrevue.fr, Autoblog, La Revue Tech +6
- 6
The Yangwang U9 Xtreme is presented as the world's fastest production car.
6 independent sourcesWhichCar, evwire.com, InsideEVs, VnExpress International, Motorpasión +1
- 4
The car hit a barrier during the test.
4 independent sourceszhongauto.com, Luxurylaunches, tokenpost.com, Gadget Review
- 3
The car's rear axle detached in the crash.
3 independent sourcesevwire.com, AutoPapo, tokenpost.com
- 3
BYD plans a new attempt to exceed 500 km/h in the United Arab Emirates.
3 independent sourceszhongauto.com, Blick, backfirenews.com
- 2
No battery fire was reported after the crash.
2 independent sourceszhongauto.com, Quatro Rodas
- 2
- 2
Sources disagree(3)
Speed at the time of the crash
- About 360 km/h (224 mph)according to autoevolution, AutoSpies, Luxurylaunches, VnExpress International
- About 450 km/h (280 mph)according to Electrek, Le Guide de l'auto, Híbridos y Eléctricos, Yahoo Autos, MotorBiscuit +2
- About 400 km/haccording to Blick
- About 500 km/h (310 mph), suspected testaccording to Autoblog
Driver's condition
- Uninjured, exited the vehicleaccording to evwire.com, zhongauto.com, Motor1.com, InsideEVs, Autoblog +18
- Hospitalizedaccording to 20 Minuten
Vehicle value
- About 3 million dollarsaccording to autoevolution, AUTOJOSH, AutoSpies, BroBible, Luxurylaunches
- 4 million dollarsaccording to News.com.au
- 2.7 million eurosaccording to 20 Minuten
- 16.5 million reaisaccording to AutoPapo
AI cross-check of the headlines and extracts of 60 articles (45 outlets) · “confirmed” = reported by at least two independent outlets, or by the manufacturer’s official press room · 5 Nov, 05h27
Checked on the web(3)
- Confirmed
A BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme was destroyed in a high-speed crash during circuit testing in China.
Sources: autonews.fr, electrek.co, autonext.co, carnewschina.com, motor1.com
5 Nov, 05h28
- Confirmed
The driver emerged uninjured from the crash and exited the wreckage under his own power.
Sources: autonews.fr, autonext.co, electrek.co, carnewschina.com, media.byd.com
5 Nov, 05h28
- Not confirmed at this stage
The crash occurred during an attempt to exceed 500 km/h.
Sources: autonews.fr, electrek.co, autonext.co, carnewschina.com, motor1.com
5 Nov, 05h28
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 5 Nov
Key terms
- 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, an outbound and return journey made within less than one hour of each other. Wikipedia
- Nürburgring
- The Nürburgring is a motorsport circuit located in Nürburg and surrounding villages in the Ahrweiler region of Germany. It is best known for the North Loop ("Nordschleife"), over 20 kilometers long, considered one of the most challenging circuits. Wikipedia
Timeline
newest firstDot = severity
- 19h11
BYD releases footage of damaged Yangwang U9 Xtreme in promotional video
Yangwang, BYD's luxury brand, has released images of its damaged U9 Xtreme hypercar in a promotional video. The driver emerged unharmed ahead of an attempt at a speed record in Abu Dhabi.
backfirenews.com
- 17h55
BYD prévoit une nouvelle tentative de record de vitesse malgré un crash à 400 km/h
Après l'accident de sa supercar Yangwang U9 Xtreme lors d'une tentative de record, BYD compte retenter l'expérience de vitesse maximale.
Yahoo AutosBlickCarBuzz
- 15h04
Records de vitesse des électriques chinoises : U9 Xtreme et SU7 Ultra en débat
Un article revient sur la tentative de record de vitesse de la BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme et sur le tour du Nürburgring de la Xiaomi SU7 Ultra révisée, en s'interrogeant sur la portée de ces performances.
雷科技
In figures
Countries concerned
Several countries (3)
Brands concerned
- BYD (Yangwang U9, U9 Xtreme, U9, Yangwang U9 Xtreme)
- Xiaomi Auto (SU7 Ultra)
Official figures
- BYD · 49,953 reg. (EU + EFTA + UK, Sept 26) · 2 recall(s) in 12 months
Key figures
- 9
- véhicules
Amounts cited3 million USD · $3-Million · 3 milioni di dollari · 2,7 Millionen Euro · $3 Million
Highest number recorded in 26 article(s), automatically extracted: please check sources.
Sources by country and language
Press country
| Articles | Outlets | |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 35 | 22 |
| France | 11 | 10 |
| Unknown country | 9 | 9 |
| China | 8 | 7 |
| Spain | 4 | 4 |
| Australia | 3 | 2 |
| Brazil | 3 | 3 |
| Switzerland | 2 | 2 |
| Germany | 2 | 2 |
| Italy | 2 | 1 |
| Netherlands | 2 | 1 |
| Vietnam | 2 | 1 |
| Indonesia | 1 | 1 |
| South Africa | 1 | 1 |
Languages
| Articles | Outlets | |
|---|---|---|
| English | 43 | 30 |
| French | 12 | 11 |
| Portuguese | 6 | 6 |
| Chinese | 6 | 6 |
| German | 5 | 5 |
| Spanish | 5 | 5 |
| Italian | 3 | 2 |
| Unknown | 3 | 1 |
| Dutch | 2 | 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
- BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme supercar wrecked in China5 Nov
- La Xiaomi SU7 Ultra restylée signe un nouveau record du tour au Nürburgring5 Nov
- BYD prévoit une nouvelle tentative de record de vitesse malgré un crash à 400 km/h4 Nov
- BYD releases footage of damaged Yangwang U9 Xtreme in promotional video4 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