BYD’s luxury brand, Yangwang, showcased its flagship U8 SUV at the ongoing Bharat Mobility Global Expo. Unlike the current lineup of BYD India which has only EVs, the U8 is a range-extender plug-in hybrid (PHEV). The automaker may bring its luxury firm here in the future for portfolio diversity.
- Yangwang U8 can perform tank turn, just like the Mercedes G 580 SUV
- It also gets three LiDAR sensors at the front for added safety
BYD Yangwang U8 SUV performance, battery, charging
Weighing around 3,500kg, the U8 PHEV draws power from a 49.1kWh battery (running four motors), with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine powering a generator. It can be juiced up from 30 to 80 percent in 18 minutes. Output is rated at 1,200hp and 1,280Nm, while the 0-100kph sprint comes in 3.6 seconds. Yangwang claims a combined range of 1,000km with the U8. However, the electric-only range stands at 180km, as per the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC).
BYD Yangwang U8 SUV dimensions, design
Built on a 3,050mm wheelbase, the five-seater SUV is humongous: 5,319mm long, 2,050mm wide and 1,930mm high. For context, it’s longer than a Land Rover Range Rover or a Mercedes-Benz GLS.
The U8 has a boxy silhouette and looks bold upfront. Pixel-type patterns are spread across the grille, seamlessly blending with the lights. The U8 has a slab-sided profile with a gloss-black finish for the squared-out wheel arches. There are also some horizontal strakes in the rear quarter glass area, adding details. The SUV has flush-type door handles for aerodynamic efficiency. Its tail-lights have the same pixilated pattern as the grille, and there’s a large rear-mounted spare wheel.
BYD Yangwang U8 interior, safety features
As per the global specs, the U8’s cabin has a 12.8-inch central touchscreen, besides a driver’s display and a front passenger screen, each measuring 23.6 inches. The AC vents sit atop the dashboard, which has a nice waterfall effect. Other features include brown leather upholstery, powered ventilated and massaging front seats, a 50W wireless charging pad, a moonroof, a 22-speaker setup and electrically deployable side steps. The Yangwang U8 can also perform a tank turn, as it has differential steering, which we have seen in the Mercedes G-Class electric.
Safety is taken care of by a Level 2 ADAS suite, working in harmony with 38 sensors, three LiDAR sensors, 13 cameras and 12 ultrasonic radars.
BYD hasn’t confirmed whether it is bringing the U8 PHEV SUV to India. If launched, it will rival SUVs like the Land Rover Range Rover, BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS.
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