{"id":49477,"date":"2023-09-21T21:50:20","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T21:50:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/highwaytale.com\/?p=49477"},"modified":"2023-09-21T21:50:20","modified_gmt":"2023-09-21T21:50:20","slug":"byd-yangwang-u8-is-a-150k-floating-off-road-ev-that-does-tank-turns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/highwaytale.com\/car-reviews\/byd-yangwang-u8-is-a-150k-floating-off-road-ev-that-does-tank-turns\/","title":{"rendered":"BYD Yangwang U8 Is A $150K Floating Off-Road EV That Does Tank Turns"},"content":{"rendered":"
If you’re among the rapidly shrinking group of people that still underestimate Chinese automakers, you probably need a reality check, and BYD’s newest launch is as good as any.<\/p>\n
China’s largest EV maker has officially unveiled the Yangwang U8 Premium Edition in China, following a preview earlier this year. Marketed under BYD’s high-end sub-brand Yangwang, the U8 is a $150,000 luxury off-road SUV that features a sophisticated four-motor series plug-in hybrid system delivering up to 1,180 horsepower.<\/p>\n
Thanks to four-wheel independent torque vectoring control enabled by the Yangwang U8’s e4 Platform, the massive SUV is able to do all-terrain tank turns, continue driving after one tire blows out, and even float on water for short periods of time.<\/p>\n
Yes, you read that right, this massive SUV \u2013 it’s 209.4 inches long and it has a curb weight of 7,628 pounds \u2013 can stay afloat for up to 30 minutes and move forward at 1.8 miles per hour by accelerating and turning its wheels. It can also perform tank turns while floating (see official video below via CarNewsChina<\/em>).<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ssxVNTa6IGE?si=Mb6uEp–IGiRTRlQ<\/p>\n That said, BYD notes that the emergency flotation feature is a “passively triggered emergency function” designed for flash floods or off-road water obstacles, and it advises users against attempting it without due cause. Once triggered, the vehicle needs to be returned to the factory for a thorough check.<\/p>\n Moving on, the BYD Yangwang U8 appears to have been designed with the goal of amassing as many superlatives as possible.<\/p>\n