YangWang U8 will be BYD’s first attempt at cracking the luxury SUV market. Prices are likely to start at 800,000 yuan (USD 110,000)
Recently, BYD’s upcoming YangWang U8 was seen driving sans camo on the streets of Shanghai. The new luxury SUV will have its maiden official public outing at the Shanghai Auto Show this April. The U8 will rival the likes of the Hummer EV and will help BYD with an entry into the luxury SUV market. Notably, the first lot of Hummer EVs recently arrived at Tianjin port. With the top variant offering three electric motors with a 1000 HP output, the U8 might turn out to be a worthy local alternative.
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YangWang U8 More Powerful Than Hummer EV
The Yangwang U8 has four electric motors and offers 1100 HP. While we await a real-world comparison of the U8 and e-Hummer, it’s undoubtedly intriguing how the flagship from GM would have to face stiff competition from local brands. The U8 is underpinned by BYD E4 architecture. A work of Wolfgang Joseph Eiger, the aesthetics of the U8 are governed by the “Gate of Time and Space” design language. This theme provides and an amalgam of traditional design with futuristic styling elements. The front end features L-shaped headlights that give the car its characteristic look. The taillights look similar to the headlights, while the SUV rides on large 20-inch wheels shod with 275/60-section tires. Other highlights include LiDAR mounted above the windscreen, chunky ORVMs, bold wheel arches, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and retractable door handles. The SUV is 5.3 meters long and has a wheelbase of 3,050 mm.
With a 275 HP motor mounted on each wheel, the peak output of 1100 HP makes the YangWang U8 more potent than the Hummer EV. It’s also very quick off the block with a claimed 0-100 km/h acceleration run of 3 seconds. The peak torque generated by each motor is rated at 320 Nm. The setup enables the U8 to perform a 360-degree ‘tank turn.’ Moreover, the body-on-frame construction should help the U8 with enhanced off-roading capability. Another highlight here is the ‘Floating Water Mode’ that allows the U8 to make its way through shallow water bodies.
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Co-Driver Gets Exclusive Entertainment Screen
BYD’s new sub-brand has revealed that the U8 can drive up to 120 km/h even with a flat tire. This has been made possible through the SUV’s ability to fine-tune the torque output 1,000 times a second! Also, a ‘crab mode’ helps the driver with better maneuverability while off-roading. Inside, the YangWang U8 will be similar to the BYD Tang, especially around the center console and the cockpit. That said, the overall interior ambiance should feel posher. Besides a large touchscreen on the center console, an entertainment screen will be mounted right in front of the co-driver.
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