One of China’s most popular car companies has launched a new off-roader, sporting very similar looks to a Land Rover Defender and plenty of unique hidden features.
The Yangwang U8 is the first product to come from the new luxury sub-brand of BYD, and aims to compete with the likes of Lexus and BMW.
Whilst Yangwang will offer a wide range of cars, including an all-electric supercar that is set to launch later in 2024, their first model will be a luxury SUV that features a hybrid powertrain.
Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President of BYD, stated that the new off-roader will be able to benefit from the technology developed by its parent company.
He explained: “The Yangwang brand will be the first to apply the cutting-edge technologies of BYD Group and offer excellent safety, performance and experience to customers, even in extreme driving conditions.”
The overall shape of the Yangwang U8 looks similar to the Land Rover Defender 130, thanks in particular to its curved hips and large, flat bonnet.
However, there are a number of styling elements that help the Chinese SUV stand out from the crowd. At the front, the U8 has a very ornate set of lights, which span from the bumper to very nearly the top of the bonnet.
Strakes also play a significant role in the Yangwang’s design, being present on the wheel arches, door mirrors and rear quarter lights.
However, the most distinctive feature of the Yangwang U8 is its ability to take on all kinds of terrain, including water.
Whilst it is not exactly designed to be a sailing vessel, drivers who find themselves stuck in a flash flood can enter an ’emergency floatation’ mode, which closes the windows and opens the sunroof to help keep the vehicle on the surface and the occupants dry.
However, in addition to helping drivers get out of a potentially life-threatening situation, the Yangwang is also able to sail along the surface at speeds of up to 1.8mph by spinning all four wheels.
A plug-in hybrid, the Yangwang U8 features a 2.0-litre petrol engine that works alongside no less than four electric motors, with one fitted to each wheel.
The whole powertrain produces up to 1,184bhp, enough for the bulky U8 to accelerate from 0-62mph in as little as 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed that has been limited to 124mph.
Currently, there are no plans to sell the Yangwang U8 in the UK, however, motorists in China will have to pay 1,089,000 yuan (around £120,500) to get behind the wheel.
