Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has unveiled the new amphibious SUV, the YangWang U8. This vehicle is truly a next-generation SUV, combining the impressive power performance of an electric vehicle with the versatility to even drive on water. In Japan, the vehicle will be exhibited at the JAPAN MOBILITY SHOW 2023 , held at Tokyo Big Sight from October 26 to November 5, 2023 , and will also be exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show 2024, which opens on February 26, 2024, with an eye toward sales in Europe. While a release date for the vehicle in Japan has yet to be announced, it is possible that it may be released in the future.
About the new BYD “YangWang U8”
- Overwhelming power performance with a maximum output of 1,184 horsepower and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds
- Versatile performance that allows for travel on water
- Luxurious interior and exterior, and packed with advanced technology
The off-road SUV “U8” is the latest model from the premium brand “Yobo.” It is built on the “e4 platform,” which is capable of four independent motor drives, and is capable of performing a 360-degree tank turn on the spot. The body dimensions are 5,319/5,259mm in length, 2,050/2,095mm in width, 1,930/2,034mm in height, and a wheelbase of 3,050mm.
Overwhelming power performance
The YangWang U8 is equipped with four electric motors, producing a maximum power output of 1,184 horsepower and a maximum torque of 1,600 Nm, which is comparable to the performance of a supercar, and it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds. This is as fast as a supercar, compared to the Ferrari 488 GTB, which can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.0 seconds.
It boasts a CLTC range of 1,000 km and 110 kW DC fast charging capability, though this impressive spec isn’t universal. However, BYD claims the battery can be charged from 30% to 80% in just 18 minutes.
Versatile enough to be driven on water
The YangWang U8 is also capable of running on water thanks to its underbody water jet propulsion system, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of 8km/h, allowing you to enjoy cruising on lakes and rivers.
Luxurious interior and exterior design with advanced technology
The YangWang U8 is packed with luxurious interiors and exteriors and advanced technology. The exterior features a powerful and rugged design. The interior is spacious and luxurious, using premium materials. Advanced technologies include autonomous driving and an AI assistant.
BYD offers 23.6-inch displays for the driver and passenger. A portrait-oriented 12.8-inch infotainment system is integrated into the vehicle. A dual-screen rear entertainment system and a display integrated into the second-row armrest are also available. The U8 Premium Edition features nappa leather seats and sapele wood trim. It adds three high-speed wireless smartphone chargers, a starry sky sunroof, and a 22-speaker premium audio system. Other highlights include a 70-inch augmented reality head-up display, seats with a “10-point matrix hot stone massage” function, a fragrance diffuser, and a refrigerator that supposedly operates for 12 hours after the vehicle is turned off.
The amphibious SUV market
Amphibious SUVs are still a small, niche market, but they are extremely useful in the event of sudden flooding caused by extreme weather.
Safety features of the new BYD “YangWang U8”
The U8 Premium Edition is equipped with 38 sensors, including three LiDAR units, five millimeter-wave radars, 14 ultrasonic sensors, and 16 cameras. This allows the model to be equipped with adaptive cruise control, automatic parking assist, and automatic valet parking. BYD also says that highway driving assistance and city navigation autopilot will be available via future over-the-air updates.
BYD’s new “YangWang U8” price
The price of the YangWang U8 has been announced to be around 1.5 million yuan (approximately 27 million yen) in China.
summary
The BYD YangWang U8 is truly a next-generation SUV, boasting impressive power performance, the versatility to even drive on water, luxurious interiors and exteriors, and advanced technology. It will be interesting to see whether it will pioneer a new genre of amphibious SUVs.
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