BYD’s Yangwang U9 Xtreme crashed into a barrier during a high-speed run at a closed track in China, with the incident reported on November 2. The car reportedly left its course at speed, possibly while attempting to reach 500 km/h. The driver suffered no serious injuries and got out without assistance. The vehicle is valued at US$3 million, or about 16.2 million yuan, according to the report.
The crash left the carbon-fiber chassis and cockpit intact, and the 80-kWh Blade battery did not catch fire or explode. BYD says the battery undergoes penetration testing designed to simulate an internal short circuit. The pack also uses an aluminum honeycomb structure and high-strength panels above and below to improve vertical rigidity.
The U9 Xtreme has four electric motors producing more than 3,000 hp combined. BYD says it reached 496.22 km/h at the Papenburg test track in Germany, making it the world’s fastest production car. Its equipment includes 20-inch wheels, GitiSport e·Gtr2 Pro semi-slick tires and a large rear wing. The car measures 4.96 meters long, 2.02 meters wide and 1.29 meters tall, with a 2.9-meter wheelbase. BYD plans another effort to pass 500 km/h in the United Arab Emirates in November.