BYD is targeting Dubai for a November attempt to take the Yangwang U9 Xtreme beyond 500 km/h, according to executive vice president Stella Li. She said the team needs a straight road around 15 kilometres long and plans to consult local police about a suitable location. BYD has not announced a selected route, traffic permissions or a firm attempt date.
The U9 Xtreme previously reached 496.22 km/h at Germany’s Automotive Testing Papenburg circuit on September 14, 2025, with racing driver Marc Basseng at the wheel. Its four electric motors produce a combined 2,220 kW, or about 2,977 hp. The car needs another 3.78 km/h to cross the 500 km/h mark. The Dubai plan differs from an earlier report that anticipated another attempt at Papenburg; neither venue has been confirmed by BYD.
A high-speed run requires more than a long straight, with road surface, wind, tyres, stability and braking distance among the considerations cited in the report. Traffic controls and safety arrangements would also be needed for a public-road attempt. The article notes these as general requirements, not evidence that Dubai offers better conditions or that Papenburg limited the previous run.
The proposed attempt comes amid Yangwang’s wider overseas activity. The brand is expected to debut its Altior luxury sedan in Dubai in early November, although that launch has not been publicly linked to the speed run. Yangwang’s U8 is already sold in the UAE, while Australian approval for the U8 represents a regulatory step rather than confirmation of a local sales launch.