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BYD has officially revealed its new Yangwang U8L SUV ahead of its debut at the Shanghai auto show later this week.
Positioned as an ultra-luxury, ultra-large, off-road-capable SUV, the U8L will arrive in China as a longer-wheelbase version of the U8, which is set to launch in Australia before the end of this year.
The U8L is expected to welcome significant design and technology updates over its smaller sibling, some of which have been previewed by CarNewsChina.
BYD's answer to the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and Nissan Patrol, the Yangwang U8 full-size hybrid SUV, caught in right-hand drive hinting at an Aussie market assault
'A proliferation of product': BYD bets big on Australia as Chinese brand details new-model tsunami that will take the fight to Toyota, Mazda and Kia
Confirmed! Hardcore BYD Yangwang U8 SUV locked in for Australia where it will take on everything from the LandCruiser 300 Series and Nissan Patrol to the Range Rover Sport
Starting with dimensions, the U8L is expected to grow to a staggering 5600mm long from an already large 5319mm to accommodate a more spacious three-row, six-seat configuration.
For comparison, a Rolls-Royce Cullinan lines up at 5314mm long, while a seven-seat Range Rover Long Wheelbase is 5213mm long.
The larger frame will drop the U8’s rear-mounted spare wheel in favour of a flat tailgate paired with a black roof, golden exterior paint, newly designed alloy rims and retractable door handles.
A trio of displays on the dashboard, including a 23.6-inch driver’s display, a 12.8-inch central multimedia display and a 23.6-inch passenger screen, are expected to be carryovers from the U8, along with quilted leather upholstery, dual rear-passenger displays and a 22-speaker Dynaudio audio system.
The U8’s standard trunk volume of 1031 litres, which expands to 2050 litres with the rear seats folded, is expected to grow even larger with the longer proportions, although an official figure remains unconfirmed.
Changes to the powertrain haven’t been detailed, with the U8L not expected to sway too far from its U8 sibling. It packs a quad-electric-motor, four-wheel drive set-up with a combined output of 880kW/1280Nm.
Additionally, the U8 carries a 49kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) ‘Blade’ battery pack and a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. Electric range is claimed at 180km, while comprehensive range is claimed in excess of 1000km (both under the CLTC protocol).
The U8L will carry BYD’s Tesla-rivalling 'God’s Eye' advanced driver-assist technology, which uses a mix of cameras, Lidar sensors and artificial intelligence to provide semi-autonomous driving functions.
Despite the U8's confirmation for the Australian market, a local debut for the U8L remains uncertain at this stage. Any prospective launch date is certain to depend on the U8's reception.
The U8 launched under BYD’s luxury Yangwang sub-brand in China in 2023 with a price tag of 1.098 million yuan (A$231,500). The U8L's pricing in China is expected to exceed that figure, with more information likely to follow its official reveal in Shanghai this week.
