In August 2025, the Yangwang U9 Xtreme became the first production electric vehicle to crack the seven-minute barrier at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife. On 22 August it completed a lap in 6 minutes 59.157 seconds, improving the previous time for its class by more than five seconds.
That feat builds on the car’s earlier achievement: in September it was officially verified at a blistering 496.22 km/h (≈308.4 mph), making it the world’s fastest production car.
Why this matters for UK enthusiasts
- It confirms that electric performance can match – and now beat – the very top petrol-engine rivals.
- It signals a shift: high performance is not just about revs and fuel, but about clever systems and raw electric power.
- For the British market, it heightens awareness of how Chinese-led EV brands are stepping into supercar territory.
- It offers a talking point: “Will the next fast car I lust after have a plug?”
Key numbers you should know
Here’s a breakdown of the headline figures for the Yangwang U9 Xtreme:
- Four high-speed electric motors (one per wheel) delivering a combined output in excess of 3,000 PS.
- Ultra-high-voltage platform: 1,200 volts (versus 800 V in many EVs) to push more current, more rapidly.
- Top speed run: 496.22 km/h (308.4 mph) at Germany’s ATP Papenburg oval.
- Nordschleife lap: 6 m 59.157 s – first EV class car under 7 minutes.
- Limited production: just 30 units of the Xtreme variant worldwide.
- Kerb weight: approximately 2,480 kg.
What went into achieving that lap time
A car doesn’t just break records by sheer power. The U9 Xtreme’s record-setting lap was possible thanks to a suite of engineering refinements:
- Track-optimised suspension and chassis setup to cope with the high loads and varied corners of the Nordschleife.
- Custom tyres rated for extreme speed and heat, enabling the car to stay connected under sustained stress.
- Lightweight materials and aero modifications: revised intake geometry, fixed rear wing, optimised diffuser for downforce without excessive drag.
- A driver with serious Nordschleife experience: Moritz Kranz (or in the top-speed run, Marc Basseng) behind the wheel.
How it compares
In the realm of production cars, every second matters:
- The previous EV class record at the Nordschleife was over five seconds slower than the U9 Xtreme’s 6:59.157.
- The petrol-engine production car benchmark still sits lower (for example, the Mercedes‑AMG ONE holds around 6:29:09), showing EVs are catching up in corners, not just straight-line.
- At a top-speed level, it dethroned the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ (490.5 km/h) to claim 496.22 km/h.
What this means for the UK car scene
Interest in exotic EVs grows
UK enthusiasts used to see hypercars as V12 ravagers might now want to take a look at what next-level EVs can offer. The U9 Xtreme is a signal of intent: performance without fossil fuel.
Marketing and storytelling shift
With badges such as the U9 Xtreme making headlines, brands here will increasingly need to highlight not just torque and cylinders, but software, system efficiency and electrical architecture.
Place-making for events
A record-breaking lap at the Nordschleife is fantastic PR. For UK manufacturers or importers, being able to say “engineered to lap the world’s toughest circuit” adds gravitas.
Watch the supply chain
Some of the technical advances here – high-voltage architecture, custom tyres, carbon-ceramic brakes – may filter down into more accessible performance EVs in the next few years. UK buyers looking for high performance might see benefits sooner.
Final thoughts
The Yangwang U9 Xtreme has done what only a handful of cars ever manage: set a new benchmark for what’s possible on both the straights and the corners.
Will this record-setting run influence UK buyers, or prompt home-grown brands to push harder in the EV space? Could we soon see a British-built electric car aiming for similar lap times? And for those who love the visceral thrill of performance, is the future now electric?
What do you think: is this the turning point for electric hypercars in the UK, or just the start of a new arms race? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Please follow and like us:
