A Big SUV and an Electric Supercar: BYD’s Continuing Ambitions

BYD, the second-largest electric car seller in the world behind Tesla, has created the YangWang brand. With it, the Chinese manufacturer aims confidently at the luxury vehicle market. The two models presented take the form of a large SUV and a supercar, respectively named U8 and U9. Both are fully electric.

The YangWang U8 has the unique ability to turn on itself, similar to the Hummer or electric Mercedes G-Class. This feat is made possible by the presence of 4 independent blocks, each delivering 220 kW to 240 kW. These motors, like the vehicle’s body, are waterproof, allowing the U8 to venture on water! While the onboard technology is impressive, the bold and massive lines do not particularly stand out.

Despite its generous dimensions, the U8 is said to be able to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 3 seconds. Its architecture comprising 4 motors and the associated management system would allow it to drive at up to 120 km/h on a flat tire. As for the battery and range, BYD has not revealed any information yet.

BYD YangWang U9: an electric supercar under €150,000

The U9 abandons the pachydermic aspect of the U8 for a much more sporty philosophy. Also powered by 4 motors, this supercar is theoretically capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 2 seconds. It could therefore rival a Lotus Evija, a Rimac Nevera, or a Pininfarina Battista, at least in terms of acceleration. Once again, BYD has not revealed the range or the battery capacity. Regarding pricing, it is expected to be around one million yuan, roughly 140,000 €. A reasonable price considering the pedigree of the U9. For comparison, the Lotus Evija, which in some respects can also be considered a product of the Chinese automotive industry, costs about 2 million euros!

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