Good News Digest

Technology and innovation

Electric supercar crosses 500 km/h in record run

United Arab Emirates

An all-electric car has become the first production model to exceed 500 km/h, reaching 503.17 km/h on a closed stretch of road in Abu Dhabi. BYD’s Yangwang U9 Xtreme made the run on 1 November 2026, driven by German racing driver Marc Basseng.

The FIA, motorsport’s world governing body, officially recognised the speed. Guinness World Records also awarded two records: the highest speed for a production car and an electric production car in a single-direction run.

The achievement improved on the same model’s previous best of 496.22 km/h, set in Germany in September 2025. It took careful refinement: after two initial runs reached a maximum of 490 km/h, engineers adjusted the rear wing, suspension and tyre pressures overnight. The record came on the final run the next day.

Four independently controlled electric motors provide the power, supported by specialised tyres and systems designed to keep the battery and motors cool. Authorities closed 10 kilometres of road for the attempt, including a seven-kilometre straight.

With production limited to 30 cars, this is an extreme engineering demonstration rather than an everyday vehicle. Basseng told EDISON that such projects can test battery and cooling technologies that may later reach ordinary cars.

Sources

  1. El PeriódicoEl Yangwang U9 Xtreme supera los 500 km/h en una autopista de Abu Dhabi
  2. www.fia.comYANGWANG U9 Xtreme surpasses 500 km/h with speed achievement recognised by the FIA
  3. edison.mediaYangwang U9X fast so schnell wie der Blitz

Reporting notes

Where this came from

FIA

FIA directly confirms its recognition of the 503.17 km/h achievement. Its publication establishes the official qualification of the result rather than merely repeating a publisher's claim that recognition occurred.

BYD

BYD supplies the manufacturer account and vehicle specifications reported by El Periódico and edison.media. edison.media adds original interview and presentation reporting; neither publisher claims to have independently measured the speed.