YangWang U9 Xtreme Review: Conquering the Nurburgring

The YangWang U9 Xtreme has just become the fastest production electric car at the Nurburgring, completing the 20,832-meter (20.832-kilometer) Nordschleife in 6 minutes, 59.157 seconds. The record was driven by veteran racer Moritz Kranz on August 22, 2025, and was recently confirmed. Previously, the U9 Xtreme had reached a top speed of 496.22 km/h at ATP Papenburg. BYD said it would produce a limited run of 30 cars, with prices yet to be announced.

In the production electric vehicle category, the U9 Xtreme beats the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra's time of 7 minutes 4.957 seconds (April 2025). In the racing or prototype category, the Volkswagen ID.R (6 minutes 5.336 seconds), Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Prototype (6 minutes 22.091 seconds) and Lotus Evija X (6 minutes 24.047 seconds) are still faster.

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Aerodynamic philosophy at the service of the Nordschleife

Compared to the top speed configuration, the U9 Xtreme lap record uses a different aerodynamic package, notably a large rear wing to increase downforce. On the Nordschleife, the high downforce helps the car maintain speed through long corner combinations, reduces sideslip and shortens braking distances. In return, the increased drag results in a lower top speed on the straight than a low-drag configuration.

During the record lap, the U9 Xtreme was fitted with GitiSport e·GTR² PRO racing tires, which allowed the car to reach around 350 km/h on the Döttinger Höhe section, while maintaining stable grip in high-speed areas.

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Cabin and user experience: limited information

BYD has not released interior details for the U9 Xtreme version specifically for its record-breaking attempt, so this article focuses on the technical elements that directly affect track performance. The Xtreme’s material, comfort, and user interface specifications will require further official data once the car enters its limited production phase.

Power 2,978 horsepower and lap time 6 minutes 59.157 seconds

The U9 Xtreme uses four electric motors with a maximum output of 2,978 horsepower, more than double the 1,288 horsepower of the standard U9. The four-motor configuration, in principle, facilitates active torque distribution to each wheel to optimize cornering acceleration and stability at the limit of grip.

A lap of 6:59.157 at the Nurburgring shows how the aerodynamic package and specialist tyres work together effectively with the high-performance electric powertrain. Having Moritz Kranz – who has over 10,000 GT3 and LMP3 laps under his belt at the Nurburgring – also helped ensure the car could exploit its performance ceiling in the tricky Nordschleife conditions.

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Aerodynamic efficiency and the peak speed problem

The previous 496.22 km/h record underlined the U9 Xtreme’s low-drag aerodynamic potential on the long straights. On the Nordschleife, where the majority of lap times are spent on high-speed corners, the trade-offs in wing and downforce-generating aero elements are justified. A 350 km/h lap at Döttinger Höhe showed that the high-downforce configuration still has enough speed potential to optimise lap times.

Safety and technology related to the track

BYD did not release details of the driving assistance systems or independent safety evaluations for the U9 Xtreme in the context of the record. However, given the high-end nature of the vehicle, specialized tires, braking and cooling systems are key components to ensure stability over multiple consecutive laps. Specific information will have to wait for the limited-edition commercialization phase.

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Pricing, positioning and competitor comparison

The U9 Xtreme will be limited to 30 units, with a price yet to be announced. With a lap time of 6 minutes 59.157 seconds, this model surpassed the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra to lead the commercial electric car group at the Nurburgring. In the racing/prototype class, the Volkswagen ID.R, Lotus Evija X and Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Prototype still hold the lap time advantage.

In terms of positioning, the U9 Xtreme aims to play the halo-car role for BYD/YangWang's high-performance electric vehicle ecosystem: on the one hand, demonstrating its extremely strong aerodynamic and electric drive capabilities, on the other hand, strengthening the brand image on the prestigious racetrack.

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Summary table of parameters and timeline

Item	Information
Version	YangWang U9 Xtreme
Transmission configuration	4 electric motors
Maximum capacity	2,978 horsepower
Nurburgring	6 minutes 59.157 seconds (August 22, 2025)
Standard lap length	20,832 m (≈ 20.832 km)
Speed on the Döttinger Höhe	Reaches about 350 km/h
Tires within record	GitiSport e·GTR² PRO
Maximum recorded speed	496.22 km/h (ATP Papenburg)
Production quantity	Limited to 30 pieces
Steering	Moritz Kranz
Previous commercial EV track record	Xiaomi SU7 Ultra – 7 minutes 4,957 seconds
EV Prototype/Racing Performance	Volkswagen ID.R – 6 minutes 5.336 seconds; Lotus Evija X – 6 minutes 24.047 seconds; Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Prototype – 6 minutes 22.091 seconds

Quick Conclusion

The U9 Xtreme demonstrates an effective approach: using aerodynamic downforce and specialist tires to optimise overall lap times while retaining impressive top speed potential when needed. With 2,978 horsepower, a four-motor configuration and a sub-7-minute Nurburgring record, it’s a remarkable technical milestone in the production electric car class. However, details on the interior, driver assistance technology and price of the limited edition are yet to be announced by the manufacturer.

Pros: Excellent track performance; downforce-generating aerodynamic package; proven top speed; limited production increases collectability.

Cons: No detailed interior and safety tech data yet; price not yet announced; prototype/race car performance is still faster.

Source: https://baonghean.vn/danh-gia-yangwang-u9-xtreme-chinh-phuc-nurburgring-10309074.html