A nearly 3,000-horsepower electric hypercar crashed during a high-speed test while attempting to reach 280 mph, but its driver escaped without serious injuries before the manufacturer returned for an even faster run.
Chinese automaker BYD shared footage of its Yangwang U9 Xtreme crashing into a guardrail during testing, leaving much of the vehicle destroyed while its carbon-fiber cabin remained intact.
The incident comes as BYD prepares to push the electric hypercar beyond its previous top speed of 308 mph, with the company targeting a new record of more than 310 mph.
BYD hypercar crashes during 280mph test before returning for faster run
According to Electrek, the Yangwang U9 Xtreme was undergoing a series of high-speed tests when the accident occurred.
During its first run, the vehicle exceeded 217 mph before reaching more than 261 mph on its second attempt. The third run was intended to push the car beyond 280 mph, but it ended when the hypercar lost control and slammed into a guardrail.
Footage shared by BYD shows the vehicle striking the barrier before spinning across the track, with debris scattering across the road. The front and rear sections sustained extensive damage, although the central carbon-fiber passenger compartment remained intact.
Despite the crash, the driver escaped without serious injuries. BYD confirmed that the driver underwent a comprehensive medical examination at a hospital, where doctors determined they were in good health.
The manufacturer subsequently resumed testing, with another run reaching 284.5 mph, exceeding the speed targeted during the earlier crash. Yangwang representative Jiang Gong said there was still room for improvement and expressed confidence that the vehicle could eventually surpass 310 mph.
The Yangwang U9 Xtreme is powered by four electric motors producing nearly 3,000 horsepower. It also features a 1,200-volt electrical system and motors capable of reaching 30,000 rpm.
In September 2025, the hypercar reached 308.3 mph during testing in Germany, establishing a new benchmark for production-car top speed.
BYD is now preparing another attempt to exceed 310 mph, with Dubai previously identified as the planned location for a record run in November 2026. However, the company has not confirmed a final date for the attempt.
The automaker ended its crash footage with a message indicating that it intends to continue pursuing higher speeds.
“The ultimate pursuit has no end; the summit will eventually be reached,” BYD said in a statement translated by Electrek.
I’m Abhishek Sharma, an author at TigerJek.com. I enjoy exploring games, testing different strategies, and turning what I learn into clear, useful guides. My goal is to help players understand the game better and improve without the usual confusion.
