BYD’s newest brand called YangWang launched its first model in China, a fully electric ladder-frame luxury off-roader. The new Yangwang U8 combines rugged looks with a quad motor layout and sophisticated technology assisting with its off-road capabilities
The silhouette of the new U8 looks to be heavily inspired by the Land Rover Defender, although the styling is unique to the YangWang brand. Notable features include the LED headlights that merge with the illuminated grille, the boxy fenders and squared-off wheel arches over 20-inch alloy wheels, the flush door handles, the hexagonal spare wheel cover on the tailgate and the futuristic split LED taillights.
Unfortunately, there are no shots of the interior, but a peak from the windows of camouflaged prototypes during testing in China showed a wide digital instrument cluster and a large infotainment touchscreen.
Read: BYD Could Exceed Tesla In Total EV Sales By Q1 2023 With The Help Of 2 New Brands
The new electric SUV, which is based on a ladder-frame architecture, measures 5,300 mm (208.7 inches) long and has a wheelbase of 3,050 mm (120.1 inches), figures comparable with the unibody Defender 130. The YangWang U8 comes fitted with BYD’s Blade battery but we have yet to learn its capacity and estimated range figures. The U8 also makes use of the in-house developed “Yisifang” technology for the quad-motor powertrain, which will be standard equipment for all models of the Yangwang brand.
In the U8, each motor produces 295-322 hp (220-240 kW / 299-326 PS) and 320-420 Nm (236-310 lb-ft) of torque, resulting in a combined output of over 1,100 hp (820 kW / 1,115 PS). The monstrous combined power output allows the large and heavyweight SUV to accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3 seconds flat. It also brings advanced torque vectoring functions to the electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system which is said to be 100 times faster than a conventional one.
In addition, the company says the U8 is capable of doing 360-degree tank turns, and has a crab mode, a floating water mode made possible by the waterproof and sealed body, plus dedicated driving modes for different off-roading scenarios, expanding its capabilities off the beaten track. The company also says that the SUV will be able to keep driving at 120 km/h (75 mph) even in the event of a flat tire.
BYD has revealed that YangWang models will be priced between ¥800,000 and ¥1,500,000 ($116,272 – 218,011). The company didn’t reveal pricing for the U8 but Chinese media report it will cost around ¥1,000,000 ($145,340). This is almost half-price compared to an ICE-powered Mercedes G-Class which starts from ¥1,892,000 ($274,984) in China.
Besides the U8, YangWang surprised everyone in its launch event by unveiling the U9 electric hypercar. You can read more about it here.
