Bugatti Chiron Yangwang U9 Xtreme Parades Its 503 km/h Record at Burj Khalifa

The Yangwang U9 Xtreme has earned its victory lap. After a Guinness World Record run, BYD’s flagship electric machine rolled up to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. Video from the scene shows a crowd of phone-wielding onlookers, flashing LEDs, and a car displaying its “01” hood numbering. Showmanship is one thing, but the engineering deserves a closer look.

📸 Photo Credit: @horsepower_hunters on Instagram

Yangwang U9 Chases Straight-Line Supremacy

At the Abu Dhabi attempt, the car hit 503.17 km/h, or 312.65 mph. Marc Basseng, a seasoned endurance racer, took the wheel for the record. Speed like this exposes every weakness, from tire compound to aerodynamic stability at the top end. Records like this echo the Brabus GLE900 Rocket, another machine built to chase a headline.

Next, the Burj Khalifa stunt. At 808 metres, the tower is a vertical monument to engineering. Laid on its side, the distance would take the car under six seconds at top speed. Still, a PR arrival is a far cry from a banked high-speed circuit where heat and braking really matter.

Four Motors and Relentless Electric Torque

The Yangwang U9 Xtreme uses four electric motors, with output reported near 3,000 hp (est.). Electric torque arrives instantly, with no gearbox to blunt the throttle. Launch control feels violent, but straight-line thrust is the easy part. Mass is the real enemy, because a heavy EV fights itself through every apex.

Mass, Grip, and the Enthusiast Verdict

Still, a car this heavy demands serious tire and brake capability. Brake fade and battery thermal management will decide whether this record translates into real-world repeatability. On paper, the Xtreme is a rocket. In reality, its handling on a demanding road is the unanswered question.

Future collectors will likely treat this car as a landmark of the electric era. Expect scarcity to drive interest over time. My bold prediction is that this machine becomes the defining poster child for China’s electric performance push, and enthusiasts will talk about it for years.

Ultimately, the Yangwang U9 Xtreme’s Burj Khalifa celebration was theatre, but the 503 km/h run was serious business. Check BYD for official details, and keep following Auto News Magazine for more coverage.

Written By

Marcus Vance

Senior Track & Performance Editor at Auto News Magazine. Veteran automotive journalist specializing in chassis dynamics, apex telemetry, track-day specials, and high-revving mechanical purity.

View all articles by Marcus Vance →