BYD’s luxury arm, Yangwang, brought its U9 and U8 vehicles to Motor Distributors Limited (MDL) to give Irish media and dealers an exclusive first look – the first EU country afforded that opportunity.
Describing both as “pioneering” in a way that demonstrates the creativity and technical ability of BYD and Yangwang, Ciaran Allen, sales director, MDL said: “In the Yangwang U8 and U9, the ability of BYD to lead the industry in the use of technology is demonstrated in a range of features that have the potential to transfer into their mainstream production models over time.”
Yangwang U8
A luxuriously appointed, visually expressive, full-bodied, 5-door, 4×4, all-terrain, hybrid SUV, the 3.5-tonnes U8 is powered by a 49.05 kWh BYD Blade battery – robustly protected and integrated into the vehicle’s chassis as part of BYD’s Cell-to-Chassis (CTC) technology – and supported by four permanent electric motors delivering 295bhp to each wheel, backed up by a front, transverse-mounted, 2-litre, 4-cylinder turbo charged petrol engine which works as a range-extender.
In performance terms, the combined on-road/off-road hybrid U8 boasts a massive 1,200 bhp, with acceleration from zero to 100kms in just 3.6 seconds. It has a top speed of 199.5 kms/h and a (CLTC) battery range of up to 1000 kms.
Built on the e4 Platform, the U8 embodies cutting-edge technology, stemming from BYD’s two decades of R&D experience, and evident in a variety of highly imaginative features, many safety related. For example, in the event of a sudden tyre blowout, a Vehicle Stabilisation System helps the driver to maintain a safe course.
An emergency ‘flotation’ function enables the U8 to ‘float’ on water for 30 minutes and motor forward at a gradual 3km/h speed – with the additional capacity to ‘wade’ through floods with a snorkel exhaust fitted.
Other safety-related features are its DiSus-P Intelligent Hydraulic Body Control – an active suspension system that uses hydraulic actuators to increase ground clearance by 15cms. A differential steering system enables it to perform 180-degrees ‘tank-turns’.
Yangwang U9
The U9 is distinctly different. Key components are its e4 Platform individual wheel drive system that redistributes torque to all wheels in the event of traction loss, and DiSus-X Intelligent Hydraulic Body Control System which allows ground clearance to be adjusted.
Fitted with an 80kWh BYD Blade battery, the U9 is equipped with four electric motors that deliver a total 960kW power to all four wheels (equal to 1,300hp). In performance, the U9 can achieve a top speed of 309.19 km/h and a 0 – 100km/h sprint speed of only 2.36 seconds.
In addition, it has an overall electric range of 450km and a maximum 1,680Nm of torque. With DC charging power of 500 kW, charging from 30 to 80 per cent takes only 10 minutes. To increase charging speed, it can accommodate dual charging using two charging guns.
