With examples that are shown in Australian showrooms and test cars before the right hand on local roads, you may think that a local launch for BYDs Yangwang U8 Luxury SUV is on your hands.
However, that is not the case, with a local launch in some ways, according to the director and executive chairman of the local distributor of BYD, Evdirect.
“U8 is not on the agenda for the near future, but what is on the agenda is the launch of Denza,” Luke Todd said Carexper.
“The U8 that is being tested will eventually come to Australia, but maybe a few years away, but there will be some very strong products … in the Denza brand.”
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When demanding the local Yangwang U8 observations, BYD’s Asia-Pacific boss Liu Xueliang said only via an interpreter that vehicles are tested here prior to the launch to confirm that they are suitable for local conditions.
“We will make a lot of preparations. Before Shark 6 was launched in Australia, we started testing Shark 6 in Australia a long time ago, “said Mr. Liu through an interpreter.
“So for all models that BYD wants to bring to Australia, we want to ensure that it meets the Drive venues in Australia … and also meet the needs of our customers in Australia.”
Although the local launch of the Yangwang U8 is not imminent, BYD will roll out its Premium Denza brand here in 2025.
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An RHD Yangwang U8 tests in the NT
BYD may not have a range of brands that some Chinese car manufacturers, but it has added its menagerie.
Denza is the oldest type plate, which debuted in 2012 as part of a joint venture with Mercedes-Benz who subsequently withdrew.
The range consists entirely of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, including the Z9 Sedan, Z9 GT shooting brake, N7 Crossover and D9 People Mover.
This was followed in 2023 by Fangchengbao, which produces Boxy Off-Readers with electric or plug-in hybrid powertrains; And Yangwang, the most prestigious of the brands, which the Range extender (honorary) U8 Off-Roader, U7 EV and PHEV Sedan and U9 Electric Supercar has.
The Fangchengbao Bao 5 is exported to certain world markets such as the Denza B5, which suggests that BYD may want to stick to a traditional combination of a single mainstream and luxury brand, à la Toyota and Lexus or Nissan and Infiniti.
The B5 is testing in Australia, which suggests that it could appear as part of the Local Denza -UPT.
Although Mr Todd confirmed that the brand name Fangchengbao will not appear here, he stopped confirming what Denza’s local line -up will look like or that Yangwang products can be sold under this brand in markets such as ours.
However, he admitted that rolling out more than one extra brand would be difficult in a messy market.
“The Australian market has far too many brands,” he said.
The Australian distributor of BYD, Evdirect, has previously shown interest in bringing the U8 to Australia, although no Yangwang product has yet been locked up.
Overzese reports have indicated that Yangwang will start this year with the U8’s right rise in other markets.
Measuring 5319 mm long, 2050 mm wide and 1930 mm long on a wheelbase of 3050 mm, the U8 is approximately 300 mm longer, 50 mm wider and 20 mm shorter than the largest Toyota Landcruiser 300 series variants.
It is even larger than luxury SUVs such as the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Range Rover, but unlike its counterparts, it does not use a gasoline engine to control its wheels directly.
As an extensive range of electric vehicle (honorary), it has four electric motors, fed by a 49.05kWh Blade Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery that can be charged externally or by a 2.0-liter turbo engine with turbo petrol engine.
The four electric motors produce up to 880 kW current and 1280 Nm of torque and give the U8 a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 3.6 seconds, while you provide 180 km with only electric driving range or more than 1000 km combined against China’s flexible CLTC test cycle.
Although he can tilt the scales to no less than 3460 kg, Yangwang claims that it can float in deep water for up to 30 minutes.
However, there is a price to pay, in which prices in China start with RMB 1,089,000 – equal to almost $ 240,000 in Australian currency.
The most expensive vehicle in local showrooms is the Seal performance, which starts from $ 61,990 before the on-road cost.
More: does BYD Boxy introduce new luxury off-roadters in Australia?
