YANGWANG U9 Xtreme Makes History at 503.17 km/h as Burj Khalifa Lights Up

Dubai: On 11 November 2026, YANGWANG, BYD's flagship luxury new-energy vehicle brand, celebrated the U9 Xtreme's world-record 503.17 km/h top speed with a major event in Dubai, featuring a special light and projection display on the Burj Khalifa. Here is everything the official release shares, in simple terms.

The Evening at a Glance

About 3,000 international media representatives and VIP guests attended the showcase, bringing together an audience from around the world to celebrate achievements in automotive performance, technological innovation and brand development.

Detail	Information
Event	Record celebration with Burj Khalifa light and projection display
Location	Dubai, UAE
Guests	About 3,000 media representatives and VIP guests

The Record Behind the Celebration

On 1 November 2026, the U9 Xtreme reached 503.17 km/h on Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed International Road (E11) in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra Region. Driven by racing driver Marc Basseng, the 3019PS all-electric hypercar passed its previous benchmark of 496.22 km/h, set at ATP Papenburg in Germany in September 2025.

• Two new Guinness World Records: highest speed by a production car in a single-direction run, and highest speed by an electric production car in a single-direction run
• FIA recognition: the speed has also been recognised by the FIA, the governing body of world motorsport
• Engineering pace: the release says YANGWANG's engineers took production cars past 500 km/h in just three years since the start of the U9 project

Two Days on the E11

The record was set over two days with the full cooperation of local authorities.

Detail	Information
Road available for closure	10 km
Longest straight for top-speed runs	7 km
31 October	Two runs, maximum speed of 490 km/h
1 November	First pass confirmed gains; second pass set 503.17 km/h

Overnight, engineers adjusted the rear-wing angle to increase rear-axle downforce, reprofiled the suspension software, fine-tuned tyre pressures and optimised battery and motor temperatures.

What Did the People Behind It Say?

Marc Basseng said: "Breaking a world record once is extraordinary but doing it again in such a different environment is truly special. At these extreme speeds every detail matters."

Lucas Bellieud, Managing Director of Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility, added: "For a production car to pass 500 km/h for the first time, on electric power and on a road in Abu Dhabi, says a great deal about where this industry is heading and the role the UAE is playing in it."

A Global Award for BYD

During the evening, the World Branding Awards trophy was formally handed to BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li. BYD was recognised as Brand of the Year in the Automobiles category at the Global Tier. The award was originally presented at Hampton Court Palace in London on 3 November.

• Organiser: World Branding Forum
• How awards are assessed: brand valuation, consumer market research and public online voting
• Global Tier: honours international brands operating in at least 10 countries across three or more continents

Stella Li said the record "demonstrates what electric performance can achieve", and that being named Global Brand of the Year in Automobiles "is also a recognition of the trust our customers place in BYD."

Celebrations Continue in Abu Dhabi

The Dubai evening is part of a wider programme of celebrations. On 7 November, a 110-vehicle parade featuring YANGWANG, DENZA and BYD models is planned in Abu Dhabi, with the U9 Xtreme leading the convoy from West Park to Emirates Palace.

What This Means for UAE Buyers

The release does not mention prices or UAE sales for the U9 Xtreme, so this is a celebration and not a showroom announcement. It does show how closely the UAE is tied to YANGWANG's story, from the record road to the Burj Khalifa. If you are choosing a practical family vehicle in the meantime, our guide to family SUVs with a third row adults can actually use is a good place to start.

Also Read: Neue Klasse Explained: Why the New BMW iX3 Matters for UAE Buyers