BYD has revealed footage of a severe crash involving its Yangwang U9 Xtreme during preparations for a 500 km/h speed run. The driver reportedly lost control at around 450 km/h, and the car’s rear section was torn away, leaving the passenger safety cell intact. The driver was uninjured, got out unaided, and the wreck did not catch fire.
The incident came before the U9 Xtreme’s run in Dubai, where it reached nearly 503 km/h, according to the article. BYD’s target had been 500 km/h, and the result is described as an official record approved by the FIA. The crash footage has also drawn attention to the survival cell’s performance, turning a dangerous setback into favorable publicity for the company.
The U9 Xtreme is a 2,977-hp electric hypercar with four motors and an 80-kWh battery. The article puts its price at US$3 million and notes its 20-inch wheels, GitiSport e·Gtr2 Pro semi-slick tires and more aggressive aerodynamic kit than the standard U9. It also cautions that high-speed straight-line runs carry serious risks: at such speeds, even a small fault can have severe consequences.