- Luxury plug-in hybrid SUV is built by China’s BYD and can also “tank spin”
Chinese electric car maker BYD has unveiled a “floating car,” a myth that dispels the idea that electric vehicles cannot be submerged in water once and for all.
The water demonstration at the Paris Motor Show marked the first time the European public saw the Yangwang U8 plug-in hybrid SUV take to the water.
In addition to being able to “hover,” BYD’s luxurious Land Rover Defender rival is famous for being able to perform a 360-degree “tank roll.”
While the set of tricks sounds ideal for navigating Britain’s flood-affected roads and narrow city center streets, will it actually be sold in the UK?
The Yangwang U8, made by Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD, has demonstrated its “floating” function to,
The U8 was one of the stars of the 2024 Paris Motor Show this week, and its unique features make the hybrid SUV stand out from everything else.
While the U8’s ability in the water is an entertaining sight, it has one important function: it is in case the car is involved in a water accident.
In fact, the U8 can stay afloat for half an hour and move at 3 km/h (1.9 mph) in the water.
The U8’s viral “tank spin” maneuver can be performed even while floating.
BYD has introduced two unique features so that in case of an emergency and the car is trapped in a flood, it can safely get itself and its passengers out of any danger.
The float feature is strictly for emergencies only and not for traditional SUV ‘wading’.
After activating floating mode, the U8 must be inspected at a service center, even though parent company BYD claims it is IP68 waterproof.
The U8, photographed during a demonstration in China, can stay afloat for half an hour and move at 3 km/h in the water. U8’s Viral “Tank Spin” Maneuver Can Be Performed Even While Floating
The float function is strictly for emergencies only, not for traditional SUV ‘wading’: After activating float mode, the U8 (which BYD claims is waterproof to IP68 level) must be inspected at a service center .
The PHEV is made by the Chinese auto giant’s premium Yangwang brand and is an ultra-luxury heavy-duty SUV that rivals Bentley’s Bentayga and high-end Range Rovers.
It weighs a whopping 3.5 metric tons and has four electric motors, one on each wheel, allowing for 360-degree flexibility and its ability to move sideways like a crab.
Could we see the U8 laughing at the prospect of flooding in Britain any time soon?
Could we see U8 flood Britain?
The U8 was unveiled last year in Guangzhou and was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in February.
Known to bear a striking resemblance to the new Land Rover Defender, with a bit of Kia EV9 thrown in, the U8 is currently only sold in China, but BYD is not ruling out exporting it abroad.
In February, BYD’s marketing director for France, Guillaume Calvar, told Reuters: “This vehicle could perhaps be brought to certain European markets with limited distribution, but not necessarily exactly in its current form.”
“But for the moment, we’re… testing its appeal.”
In China it is priced at 1.098 million yuan (approximately £117,430). Deliveries began last November.
This is Money has contacted BYD to find out if it has any intention of bringing the U8 to the UK.
The Yangwang U8 bears a striking resemblance to the new Land Rover Defender, with a bit of Kia EV9 thrown in.
Hints of the Kia EV9 can be seen in the U8. The U8 is currently only sold in China but BYD does not rule out exporting it abroad.
