A barrier strike left a Yangwang U9 Xtreme badly damaged during a closed-track run in China. The electric supercar belongs to a model line that has already topped 308 mph, though its speed in this crash has not been established.
CarNewsChina published its account on November 2, 2026, after crash footage and photos emerged in China. That is the date of the report, rather than a confirmed date for the wreck itself.
Built by BYD’s luxury brand, the U9 Xtreme has four electric motors with a combined peak output of 2,977 horsepower. It is a track-focused version of the U9, with changes to its electrical system, tires, and suspension.
Coverage of the wreck comes as Yangwang plans another speed attempt in the United Arab Emirates in November. CarNewsChina suggests a possible link to testing for about 311 mph, but does not establish that connection.
A Hard Stop
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During the run, the car veered off its line and struck a barrier, tearing away the rear axle.
Despite the damage, the driver escaped injury and got out without help, according to CarNewsChina’s account.
Chasing More
The model’s record run took place at Germany’s ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg facility. In its September 2025 announcement, BYD said German racing driver Marc Basseng reached about 308.3 mph on September 14. That left a gap of roughly 2.3 mph to the 310.7-mph mark.
BYD described that result as a global production-car top-speed record. It exceeded the 304.8-mph figure the company cited for the quickest gasoline-powered model, putting the electric car ahead by about 3.6 mph.
For the Xtreme, BYD raised the electrical system’s voltage from the regular U9’s 800 volts to 1,200 volts. Its four motors can spin at up to 30,000 rpm, drawing power from a lithium iron phosphate Blade Battery designed for a high discharge rate.
Semi-slick tires and revised DiSus-X suspension accompany those powertrain changes. BYD says the suspension received specific tuning for the added stresses of circuit driving, while production of the U9 Xtreme is limited to no more than 30 cars.