SAEDNEWS: The 1,200-Horsepower BYD Beast: A Blend of Engineering Might and Stunning Design That Could Change the Game for China
According to Saed News Technology Service, BYD is no longer the budget automaker of the past. With the launch of its luxury sub-brand, YangWang, the Chinese giant has not only entered the ultra-luxury SUV segment but, with the U8 model, is challenging off-road engineering standards.
The YangWang U8 is an extraordinary combination of destructive power, limitless luxury, and technologies previously seen only in science fiction.
In this article, we take a closer look at the technical specifications, remarkable capabilities, and lavish features of this 1.1 million-yuan (around $150,000) SUV—a worthy competitor to the most expensive Land Cruiser and Cadillac models.
Design Language: “Gate of Time and Energy”
The U8 follows YangWang’s proprietary design language called the Gate of Time and Energy. With massive dimensions (length 5,319 mm, width 2,050 mm, height 1,930 mm), it commands attention on the road and competes directly with the Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
The grille features a matrix pattern seamlessly integrated with LED headlights, evoking the image of a grand gateway.
The side profile is deliberately boxy to maximize interior space and driver visibility during off-road excursions. Forged 22-inch wheels complete the imposing stance. Despite the angular design, hidden door handles and aerodynamically engineered side mirrors help manage drag.
e4 Platform: 1,200 Horsepower at Its Core
What sets the U8 apart is its revolutionary e4 platform, which uses four independent electric motors—one for each wheel. Each motor produces between 295 and 320 horsepower, totaling a staggering 1,184 hp. Combined torque reaches 1,280 Nm, propelling this 3.5-ton giant from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds.
The U8 is not fully electric; it employs an EREV (Extended-Range Electric Vehicle) system. A 2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine under the hood functions solely as a generator to charge the batteries, without driving the wheels.
The 49.05 kWh LFP battery pack provides 180 km of pure electric range, while a full fuel tank (75 liters) and charged batteries extend total range to 1,000 km according to CLTC standards.
DiSus-P Intelligent Suspension: Dancing Over Rocks
BYD equips the U8 with its most advanced hydraulic body control system, DiSus-P, offering:
Adjustable Height: Up to 150 mm for tackling obstacles.
Independent Wheel Control: Each wheel’s suspension adjusts separately, keeping the cabin level over uneven terrain.
High-Speed Stability: Reduces body roll on sharp corners, simulating a sports car’s handling.
Extraordinary Capabilities: Tank Turns and Water Floating
Perhaps the most thrilling features come from independent torque control at each wheel:
Tank Turn: The U8 can rotate in place by spinning left and right wheels in opposite directions—ideal for tight off-road or parking maneuvers.
Emergency Floating Mode: The fully waterproof (IP68) U8 can float on water if submerged beyond safe limits. In this mode, the gasoline engine shuts off, air intakes close, windows rise, and the sunroof opens for emergency escape. The SUV can float for up to 30 minutes and move at 3 km/h toward land. BYD emphasizes this feature is for emergencies only, not recreational use.
Interior and Comfort: Pure Luxury
Inside, the U8 combines Napa leather, high-quality African wood, and multiple displays, with a cabin design inspired by bird wings.
Features include a Dynaudio 22-speaker system delivering concert-hall sound, 10-way adjustable smart seats with heating, cooling, and massage, three 50-watt wireless chargers, an internal fridge, panoramic star-patterned sunroof, and an air fragrance system.
Safety and Autonomous Driving
The U8 is among BYD’s safest vehicles, equipped with three LiDAR units, five millimeter-wave radars, 14 ultrasonic radars, 16 cameras, and NVIDIA Drive Orin processors. It supports Level 2+ autonomous driving, including adaptive cruise control, lane changing, and automatic parking.
YangWang U8 Technical Specifications
Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
Powertrain | 4 electric motors + 2L turbo generator |
Total Power | 1,184 hp |
Total Torque | 1,280 Nm |
0–100 km/h | 3.6 s |
Battery Capacity | 49.05 kWh (BYD Blade) |
Charging (30–80%) | 18 min (DC 110 kW) |
Curb Weight | 3,460 kg (base trim) |
Top Speed | 200 km/h (limited) |
Base Price | 1,098,000 yuan (~$150,000) |
Conclusion
The BYD YangWang U8 may set a new benchmark for luxury SUVs, showcasing China’s automotive capabilities. It blends heavy off-road prowess (akin to the Hummer EV) with ultra-luxury comfort (like Mercedes-Maybach) and innovative technologies such as the e4 platform.
Despite its weight and high price, the U8 proves that the boundaries of what’s possible in automotive design are shifting.
