BYD sub-brand, Yangwang, unveiled its first vehicle – the BYD Yangwang U8 (also known as the R1) – at its official launch in China. This new energy, hardcore off-road SUV is expected to be a popular choice among consumers. In a surprising move, Yangwang also revealed a supercar called the U9. This marks the first time that Yangwang has ventured into the supercar market.
At the launch event, BYD’s chairman, Wang Chuanfu, personally drove the new Yangwang U8 into the venue. In addition to the SUV, the Yangwang brand also introduced a driving technology called “Yisifang,” which will be implemented for the first time in the Yangwang U8.
Yisifang is a wheel-side motor that powers the vehicle using four independent motors, allowing the car to achieve 360-degree steering in one spot without relying on the steering wheel for movement. This innovative technology is expected to revolutionize the way we drive.
The Yisifang technology is a four-wheel independent motor system that can control the movement of the vehicle through real-time regulation of wheel torque to assist the driver in the event of a steering wheel malfunction or tire blowout. This technology is 100% self-developed by BYD and can be applied to pure electric and hybrid platforms across a range of vehicles, including off-road vehicles, supercars, and more.
According to BYD, the electronically controlled four-wheel drive system of the Yisifang technology responds 100 times faster than traditional four-wheel drive systems. Wang Chuanfu also announced that the Yisifang technology will be included as standard equipment on all models of the Yangwang brand.
In addition to this advanced driving technology, the Yangwang U8 also boasts an IP68 motor waterproof and body sealing technology, allowing the SUV to float on water. This unique feature adds to the versatility and capability of the off-road vehicle.
Yangwang U8 electric SUV, designed by Wolfgang Joseph Eiger, boasts a unique “Gate of Time and Space” design language that combines futuristic elements with a hardcore aesthetic. The vehicle’s standout L-shaped headlights are highly recognizable when illuminated, and the grille features a dot matrix design with the brand’s logo inlaid in the center.
The SUV has a commanding presence with a length of 5300mm and a wheelbase of 3050mm. It also boasts hidden door handles, aerodynamic designs on the wheel arches, and D-pillars. The Yangwang U8 will be equipped with R20-inch wheels with 275/60 R20 tires.
At the rear, the taillights are shaped similarly to the headlights, and the tailgate, which opens sideways, is equipped with external tires. While the automaker has not yet revealed the car’s interior, previous spy shots show that it will be equipped with a full LCD instrument panel and an embedded central touch screen. The SUV also features a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, and the buttons are marked in Chinese.
Yisifang technology platform that powers the Yangwang U8 SUV features four wheels and four motors, each with a maximum power of 220-240 kW and a maximum torque of 320-420 Nm. The SUV is also equipped with blade batteries and a non-load-bearing body. It offers various driving modes for different terrains and conditions, including ice and snow, fixed circle, desert slope, flat tire to continue driving (120km/h), U-turn on the spot, and floating water mode.
The SUV also has a “crab mode” that enhances its maneuverability while off-roading and allows it to control its driving circuit surface while wading through deep water. The Yangwang U8 can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 3 seconds.
Yangwang is BYD’s new high-end sub-brand, which was announced in November 2022. According to the automaker, this luxury brand is expected to produce vehicles within the price range of 800,000 to 1.5 million yuan ($110,280 – $206,763). The Yangwang U8 is the first model from this brand, and while its price was not disclosed at the launch event, it is expected to cost around 1 million yuan.
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