Swiss Army knives from China: Driving report: BYD Yangwang U8

SPX/Baden-Baden. It is a car like a mountain. A good length of 5.30 meters, a width of more than 2 meters and almost high, with a maximum speed of 200 km / h and a live weight of about 3.5 tons. The Yangwang U8 is an impressive sight at first glance. Chinese car giant BYD is flexing its muscles two weeks ahead of the domestic auto show in Beijing and hinting at what’s currently possible in the luxury off-road segment. And that’s a lot – as long as money is not an issue, because such a car would cost more than 125,000 euros in Germany.

The U8 has four electric motors, one for each wheel, which are controlled separately. The electric range is about 180 km. There is also a gasoline engine that works as a range extender and is separated from the drive, which is intended to increase the range to 1,000 km (!). The U8 has all-wheel drive and trick control electronics also offer a special trick previously reserved for tracked vehicles: the car can turn on a vertical axis. While this is probably never needed in everyday use and leaves ugly streaks of black rubber on the road, this capability may be needed in more extreme situations or when used as a rescue vehicle.

First and foremost, however, this gimmick belongs in the “show what’s possible” category. This also includes a drive train with 880 kW/1,200 hp, which enables the monster to accelerate to 100 km / h in 3.6 seconds, with a 200 km / h Vmax, but also a modern chassis – of course electronically controlled guarantees. ground clearance of about 50 cm. All kinds of sensors and control elements are installed that put a load on the track during a quick stop and suppress the tendency to rotate the vertical and transverse axis.

The interior design of the U8 meets the highest European requirements. The best leather covers the solid controls, which – it remains a Chinese car – sometimes seem playful. The various physical conditions of the car can sometimes be a little difficult to read on the three large displays in the cockpit, but the software is nevertheless logical. Needless to say, the sound system with 22 speakers ensures acoustic well-being and can also be balanced with a piezoelectrically changing roof lining. The only small fly in the ointment is that the back seat can be folded down in a ratio of 2: 3 (electrically, of course) – “passing” is not part of the program; Skiing is obviously not one of the most important influence groups in China.

If the seats are reclining, U8 provides a fully saturated false surface that can be brought into balance using the balance switch. The suspension can also be locked in this position so that the car does not stop while you sleep at night. If you want to fry a juicy stick beforehand, U8 is also a better choice. The 49 kW battery has external sockets to which the electric grill can be connected. The LED strips on the D poles glow green when charging and blue when discharging. The full list of entertainment options offered by this car can be exceeded here – it is good that everything can be turned off.

By the way, U8 can also swim. However, only in emergencies and for 30 minutes. No rubber or other rings have been inflated in bulk; If the car floats on water, the roof opens as an escape route. However, more important than swimming ability is the swimming depth of more than one meter. By the way, the Swiss knife of a car from China cannot fly, but as an option there is a drone mounted on the roof that sends its images to the cockpit.

On the test track the U8 is very pleasant. The steering, handling and chassis show the characteristics of a sports car, which is not easy considering the large moving mass. When the corners are deliberately driven too fast, the car slows down, but is easily caught again by electricity. There are some question marks about the brakes, which work very well in the winter and bring the 3.5-ton car to a halt after just 30 meters from 100 km/h. But after only a few laps, the reduction joints become very hot, the pedal becomes soft and requires a lot of muscle use. Physics cannot be outsmarted by electronics. The tires also seem “oily” after a few quick test runs.

Before the U8 is released in Europe, the engineers in Yangwang will definitely think about it. They have proven that they are creative with this car, which is in the class of 1 million yuan (over 125,000 euros). Unfortunately, it is not clear to those involved in Germany why Yangwang’s first car has the number 8 in its name. But it is clear that the U9 will be shown soon. A sports car that should definitely show again what is possible.

Technical data BYD Yangwang U8

A five-door, five-seater luxury SUV; Length: 5.31 meters, width: 2.05 meters, height: 1.93 meters; Wheelbase: 3.05 meters; Trunk volume: maximum 2,050 liters

Four electric motors with 220 kW/300 hp each, petrol engine (without performance classification) as a range extension, system output: 880 kW/1,200 hp, maximum torque: 1,280 Nm; 0-100 km/h: 3.6 s, Vmax: 200 km/h; Consumption: kA, battery: 49.05 kW, range (electric) 180 km, total range: 1,000 km

Short character

Why: The benchmark in off-road mobility, for adults with a playful instinct

Why not: Braking is not up to the mark, perhaps too expensive

What else: Mercedes G AMG, Range Rover, Lamborghini Urus