BYD could launch two of its SUVs in Europe as rivals to the likes of the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
During a recent press event held in Shenzhen, China, executives from BYD said it could export both the YangWang U8 and the Fang Cheng Bao 5. These two models would join the five other BYD vehicles already on sale in Europe, namely the Dolphin, Seal, Han, Atto3, and Tang SUV.
The YangWang U8 has generated the most headlines of the two SUVs since its launch. It is powered by a quartet of electric motors that combine for an impressive 1,184 hp. It also features a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that serves as a range extender, generating electricity for the 49.05 kWh battery pack.
The U8 is also packed full of intriguing features like having the ability to float and wade through water while also being able to perform sow tank turns on tarmac and on gravel. Also, as the brand’s most luxurious model, it sells for the equivalent of about €140,000 in China.
Read: BYD’s Yangwang U8 Premium Edition Has 1,184 HP And More Screens Than Some Homes
As for the 5, it comes from BYD’s SUV-focused Fang Cheng Bao brand and comes with a boxy design that could make it a compelling alternative to the likes of the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz G-Class. It is based on a ladder frame and has a 1.5-liter petrol engine working alongside a pair of electric motors with a combined 670 hp and 560 lb-ft (760 Nm) of torque.
Speaking with Auto News, a spokesperson from BYD said that both the YangWang and Fang Cheng Bao brands will probably get rebrands in Europe. The company also confirmed that its Denza brand will launch in Europe in the fourth quarter of this year.
