BYD Yangwang U8 SUV closer to Australia
Today at 10:03 PM
Right-hand drive versions of the amphibious SUV have been spotted ahead of a potential arrival in Australian showrooms in 2025.
A right-hand-drive version of the 2025 Yangwang U8 SUV has been spied in China for the first time giving stronger indications the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Range Rover rival will come to Australia.
Images of a disguised right-hand-drive U8 luxury SUV in China have been published by CarNewsChina suggesting it will be offered in the United Kingdom (UK), Hong Kong – and possibly Australia.
Yangwang is luxury sub-brand of Chinese car maker BYD, with local importer EVDirect confirming the first Yangwang vehicles will go on sale in Australia by the end of 2025, with a model line-up yet to be announced.
While not yet confirmed for Australia, EVDirect showed left-hand drive examples of the U8 in new showrooms in Melbourne and Brisbane in July 2024 to gauge public interest in the high-end SUV.
The U8 was also shown at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, suggesting it may be sold in the UK – another right-hand drive market – although it is yet to be confirmed for sale there, too.
The U8 is a full-size, plug-in hybrid luxury off-road SUV and despite its large dimensions – including a 5535mm length to make it longer than a Toyota LandCruiser – is made only as a five-seater.
It uses ladder chassis construction like the LandCruiser and other serious off-road competitors and has four-wheel drive with an electric motor controlling each individual wheel.
The China version is an EREV – Energy Range Extending Vehicle – which Ford boss Jim Farley pointed to as the fastest growing segment in China in a recent admission of loving his time driving a Xiaomi SU7.
EREVs use electric power to drive the wheels and an internal combustion engine – effectively as a back-up – which in the U8's case sees four electric motors and a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.
In Australia, vehicles currently on sale that do this include the Nissan X-Trail e-Power and other 'e-Power' SUVs in the Nissan line-up.
The Yangwang U8 packs serious punch with its four electric motors producing a combined 880kW/1280Nm for a supercar-like 0-100km/h claim of 3.6 seconds.
Its 49.08kWh lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) battery enables an electric only range of 120km and a total capability of 780km in Chinese guise.
Speaking to Drive in April 2024, EVDirect managing director Luke Todd said the U8 was not locked in for Australia – although it was being considered – given it's a high-priced, low-volume niche model.
"We want to see more Australians be able to afford [electric vehicles] and the Yangwang retails for roughly $AU220,000 in China," Mr Todd said.
The post BYD Yangwang U8 SUV closer to Australia appeared first on Drive.
