BYD's All-Electric Hypercar Hits 308 MPH, Becomes Fastest Car in Production

Electric powertrains allow for 'crazy fast acceleration figures,' reports Car and Driver, as well as 'huge power numbers.' And now a Chinese luxury electric car brand owned by BYD Auto 'just hit a top speed of 308.4 mph, making it not only the fastest electric car on the planet, but the fastest car. Period.'

Engadget reports that the U9 Xtreme 'is packed with four motors that produce just under 3,000 horsepower. The electric hypercar also runs on one of the world's first 1,200V platforms, which offers better performance and efficiency, along with some weight reduction.' And Car and Driver adds that 'Other changes to achieve the speed include dropping the wheel size from 21 to 20 inches, narrowing the front track, and adding wider, semi-slick track tires at the front of the car.'

One small caveat that doesn't lessen the impressiveness of the feat is that while the U9 Xtreme does classify as a production model, it barely does. That's because BYD is planning to limit production of the top-speed version of the U9 to no more than 30 units.

The car hit its 'facemelting' top speed during a livestream at Germany's Automotive Testing Papenburg, reports Engadget.

Thanks to long-time Slashdot reader hackingbear for sharing the news.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.