BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme crashes at 360km/h, battery escapes fire and driver unharmed

Nov 6, 2026

The BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme has been involved in a serious crash during preparations for its next top-speed attempt. Footage of the incident, which recently emerged, shows the electric supercar losing control at high speed before hitting barriers on both sides of the track.

The car was badly damaged, but its battery did not catch fire and the passenger compartment remained intact. The test driver was later given the all-clear following hospital checks.

The incident happened ahead of the U9 Xtreme's planned trip to Abu Dhabi, where Yangwang intends to take the car for a high-speed run on an open road. The model previously set a production-car speed record of 496.22km/h in Germany.

Crash during high-speed test

The footage shows the U9 Xtreme undergoing a preliminary high-speed test in China when it suddenly veers out of control. The car first strikes the barrier on the left before crossing the track and hitting the barrier on the opposite side.

The collision sends up a cloud of dust and leaves the front end and bodywork extensively damaged. Debris is scattered across the track, and heavy machinery is later used to move the wrecked car.

Reports say the car was travelling at around 360km/h when it crashed. The team had been working towards a target speed of 420–450km/h as part of its preparations for the next record attempt.

Despite the severity of the impact, the battery did not catch fire and the passenger compartment remained structurally intact, according to information subsequently shared by Yangwang. The driver was taken to hospital for examination and was found to be unharmed.

The driver has been with BYD for 23 years and has extensive experience in vehicle testing. Yangwang sales division general manager Hu Xiaoqing said that he initially wanted to remain at the scene to check the car rather than go straight to hospital after the crash.

Inside the U9 Xtreme

The U9 Xtreme sits at the top of BYD's Yangwang range. Its four-motor drive system and 1,200V high-voltage platform deliver a combined maximum output of 2,977PS.

The car reached 496.22km/h at a test facility in Germany in 2025, setting a new speed record for a production car. The upcoming Abu Dhabi run will give the team another opportunity to push the car towards its limits.

Next stop: Abu Dhabi

Yangwang has confirmed that Abu Dhabi in the UAE will be the next destination for the U9 Xtreme, with the team planning to attempt a high-speed run on an open road.

An open-road attempt presents a different set of challenges from a run at a dedicated test facility. Road conditions, the surrounding environment and safety arrangements all need to be taken into account when running at extreme speeds.

It remains to be seen whether the U9 Xtreme can approach its existing 496.22km/h record in Abu Dhabi, or even exceed 500km/h.