With the introduction of Yangwang, BYD, the world’s biggest EV manufacturer, is entering the premium category. According to the Financial Times, the new BYD sub-brand is intended to compete with European premium brands such as Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. And it may be able to do it outside of China by selling fully-electric SUVs and supercars such as the Yangwang U8 and Yangwang U9.
BYD previewed the new brand last year, and the Chinese automaker was anticipated to launch it with the Yangwang U8, a fully-electric SUV. The off-roader resembles a Land Rover Defender, which makes sense considering the intention to attract premium vehicle consumers. However, BYD also introduced the Yangwang U9, a fully-electric supercar that can purportedly accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in two seconds. The unconventional appearance makes it seem to be a rendering or design study, but according to Automobile News China, BYD chairman Wang Chuanfu personally rolled out the car during the brand’s debut:
There’s no assurance the EV will make it to production, much alone export, but BYD believes the Yangwang U8 and U9 are on their way and will “reshape the contours of the global luxury automobile market.” The Yangwang U8 might be issued first, followed by the U9. Both will start about $1 million, or little more than $146,000 at current currency rates.
The two EVs will be built on BYD’s “Yisifang” platform, which will provide the U8 and U9 with identical capabilities. The EV platform is powered by four electric motors, one for each wheel. There’s no news on range, but the Yangwang EVs will feature bladed batteries (the same ones BYD sells to Tesla in China) and IP68-rated components; the FT even claims the vehicles will float in water.
Each electric motor will supposedly produce between 295 and 322 horsepower, resulting in a total output of well over 1,000 horsepower. Torque is stated to range between 236 and 310 lb-ft per motor. The EVs’ ability to drive a single tyre and adjust traction electronically, enabling them to spin in a circle when stationary, isn’t the only advantage of the four motors.
When I see it, I’ll believe it. Or when I become dizzy on the top of a Yangwang U9, which spins like a tank on tracks. BYD seems to be stockpiling new EVs to compete with Europe’s finest. It would have been difficult to assume that a new EV brand from the relatively young BYD could challenge established automakers, but Tesla demonstrated that luxury companies had a lot to lose by outselling them in their own sector – panel gaps and all. If Yangwang can avoid faulty assembly, European automakers may be justified in their concerns.
