BYD brought its high-end brand YangWang to Europe, showcasing its first model, the hardcore SUV U9, to the public at the 2024 Geneva Motor Show. The U9 made headlines because of its capability to float on water and sail at 3km/h or do 360-degree tank turns. It is the most expensive car from BYD in mass production.
YangWang U8 was unveiled about a year ago, in January, and launched in September 2023 for 1,089 million yuan (150,000 USD). The deliveries started in December, and in January 2023, U8 delivered 1,652 units in China.
The U8 is an AWD electric range extended vehicle (EREV). It means it has an ICE that works as a power generator for the battery but isn’t connected to the wheels. The LFP Blade battery has a 49.05 kWh capacity and provides a 180 km range. With a full battery and a 75-liter tank, the car can drive 1000 km without stopping.
U8 has four electric motors, each with 220 kW of power. The combined output is 880 kW (1,180 hp) and 1,280 Nm peak torque. The electric powertrain is mated with 2.0L turbo ICE, which can charge the battery or power the e-motors, but not directly wheels. Top speed is limited to 200 km/h, and 0-100 acceleration is 3.6 seconds.
The dimensions of U8 are (L/W/H) 5319/2050/1930 mm and a wheelbase of 3050 mm. The car sits on an e4 platform and is equipped with a Disus-P hydraulic body control system, which allows the vehicle to rise and lower up to 150 mm. Despite such enormous dimensions, it is only a 5-seater, not offering a third-row option. The gross weight is 3,985 kg, and the curb weight is 3,460 kg,
BYD also announced in September that YangWang U8 is coming to Brasil in May without providing any other details. In October, YangWang U8 made headlines when California Governor Gavin Newsom test-drive the car in China.
This week, YangWang launched its second car – the YangWang U9, for 1.69 million yuan (236,000 USD). Where U8 can sail on water, U9 can dance or jump. The BEV supercar started taking preorders for 300k yuan. Mass production will begin in Q2, and deliveries will be in mid-2024.
YangWang U8’s competitor in China is the Dongfeng M-Hero 917 or Hummer EV. In Europe, it would be the Mercedes Benz G-Wagon.
