BYD's Yangwang U8L is a $180,000 luxury SUV that can float

Chinese automotive giant BYD is pushing deeper into the ultra-luxury market with the official launch of the Yangwang U8L, a massive six-seat SUV packed with extreme performance and unconventional features. The new U8L carries a starting price of RMB 1.28 million, or nearly $180,000, with first deliveries scheduled for late September.

The Yangwang U8L is an extended version of the brand's first model, the U8 off-road SUV. As if the standard version wasn't long enough already, the "L" comes in at a rather substantial 212.6 inches bumper to bumper, it is 80.7 inches wide, and 75.6 inches tall. Its wheelbase is stretched to 128 inches, a full 7.9 inches longer than the standard U8.

Underneath the large frame is BYD's e4 platform, a quad-motor architecture that delivers impressive performance for such a large vehicle. The U8L gets its power from four electric motors, one at each wheel, that combine to produce 1,180 horsepower (880 kW) and 944 lb-ft of torque. Despite its size, this powerful setup allows the SUV to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.5 seconds.

But there's a little secret hiding under that huge body - the U8L is not a pure electric car but an EREV. It has a battery that provides a CLTC-rated range of 124 miles, and a gasoline engine that acts as a generator to recharge it on the go. With a full battery and a full tank of fuel, the total range extends to 721 miles.

Apart from its luxury and power, the U8L inherits some of the most talked-about features from its standard-wheelbase sibling. Chief among these is a set of capabilities that sound like they belong in a spy movie. The SUV features an "emergency flotation" mode, allowing it to temporarily float through shallow water.

It can also perform a "tank turn," spinning 360 degrees in place thanks to its individual wheel motors. The U8L uses BYD's most advanced DiSus-P body control system, an intelligent suspension that actively manages vehicle dynamics for a smoother ride. It even has a "blown tire stability" function that allows the driver to maintain control and safely pull over, even with a completely flat tire.

The technological showcase continues inside the cabin with BYD's latest smart driving systems. The U8L comes with the latest "God's Eye A" system, which is supported by the DiPilot 600 driver assistance solution. This is the most advanced suite of driver aids currently offered by the company, putting it in direct competition with the sophisticated systems found in other luxury EVs.

The U8L is the fourth model from the growing Yangwang brand, which is focused on building a portfolio of high-end vehicles. It joins the standard U8 SUV ($155,000), the U9 electric supercar ($236,000), and the U7 sedan ($88,000). The brand's sales are still modest with only 405 vehicles sold in August, but the launch of the U8L proves that BYD is serious about capturing a share of the profitable ultra-luxury segment, a space long dominated by legacy automakers.

Via