BYD’s new high-end sub-brand, Yangwang, will unveil its first vehicle, the Yangwang R1 off-road SUV, on January 5th at 3:00 PM Beijing Time in China. The SUV is expected to have a price tag of over 144,900 USD, or more than 1 million RMB. Yangwang is expected to produce vehicles within the price range of 800,000 to 1.5 million RMB (110,280 to 206,763 USD), according to BYD.
The Yangwang R1 SUV will feature both electric and plug-in hybrid powertrain options, with a maximum output of 650 horsepower. All versions of the vehicle will have four-wheel drive capabilities. The top versions will also feature four-wheel steering and a “crab mode” function, which allows for enhanced maneuverability when driving off-road.
The SUV is built on a body-on-frame chassis, which has seen a resurgence in popularity among young, affluent Chinese consumers living in major cities who enjoy camping and spending time in nature on the weekends. The Yangwang R1 will be available in both 5-seat and 7-seat configurations. At an event celebrating BYD’s 3 millionth NEV, the company’s Chairman and President, Wang Chuanfu, hinted that the automaker will be introducing a “black technology” feature on the Yangwang R1, making it the first BYD model to have this technology.
The Yangwang R1 SUV has a distinctive boxy design with a high ground clearance and short overhangs on the front and rear. Its roof is adorned with three unusual bumps. The vehicle will also be equipped with lidars to support its advanced driving assistance system. In teaser images, we can see that the R1 has a spare tire mounted at the center of the rear, as well as “L”-shaped dot-matrix LED taillights.
The front end features small running lights similar to those on Lynk & Co’s vehicles, and the high beams are visible under the running lights. Based on its expected price tag, the Yangwang R1 is likely to be the most expensive BYD vehicle to date. More information and specifications about the vehicle will be available following its premiere.