China’s BYD has made history with its luxury sub-brand Yangwang as the worlds fastest car.
The U9 Xtreme (U9X), an all-electric hypercar, reached a top speed of 496.22 km/h (308.3 mph) at Germany’s Papenburg test track on September 14, 2025.
The run, driven by Marc Basseng, surpassed the 2019 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ record of about 490.48 km/h (304.8 mph). Production of the U9 Xtreme will be limited to 30 units.
The car uses a quad-motor system with a 1,200-volt architecture, delivering nearly 3,000 horsepower, and is built on BYD’s advanced EV technology. The achievement highlights how electric hypercars are beginning to outpace traditional supercars in performance.
BUT what tires were used for this record speed drive?
It was the GitiSport e.GTR2 Pro tires on the BYD Yangwang U9 that are special because they were custom-engineered for the supercar’s extreme speeds, featuring advanced materials like ultra-high-strength aramid fibers and reinforced rubber compounds, a special “RaceGrip Pro” formulation for superior grip and a wider operating temperature, and an anti-standing wave structure to prevent deformation at over 500 km/h.
These tires enabled the Yangwang U9 to set a new world electric vehicle speed record at 496.22 km/h.
Specific Enhancements for the Yangwang U9:
Molecular Chain Optimisation: Reinforced rubber compounds were used to improve tensile and tear strength, which is crucial for stability at high speeds.
Ultra-High-Strength Aramid Fibres: These novel structural reinforcement materials were integrated to boost the tire’s load-bearing capacity.
Next-Gen Racing Profile: The tire’s geometry was optimized to ensure even pressure distribution, minimizing heat buildup and energy loss.
RaceGrip Pro Formulation: This race-grade filler increases grip by 38% and expands the effective operating temperature range of the tire.
Anti-Standing Wave Structure: This design prevents deformation at ultra-high speeds, a capability validated in tests exceeding 500 km/h.
Fast Warm-Up Additives: These additives significantly reduce the tire’s warm-up time, allowing for quicker readiness for high-performance driving.
Bionic Sidewall Design: The sidewall’s design was enhanced to provide better support, improving responsiveness and cornering ability.
Collaboration and Record-Breaking:
The GitiSport e.GTR2 Pro tires were developed in close collaboration with the BYD team. These specially designed tires were instrumental in helping the Yangwang U9 achieve its record-breaking speed of 496.22 km/h.
