BYD Sets Its Sights on Premium Off-Road EV Segment in Australia

After making a significant entry into the Australian market with mainstream electric vehicles (EVs), BYD is poised to target the luxury sector with two premium off-road models recently spotted undergoing testing on local roads.

One keen observer from CarExpert captured images of a Yangwang U8 SUV in Warragul, Victoria. Although partially concealed, the vehicle’s right-hand drive configuration signals its intent for the Australian market. This finding comes on the heels of reports indicating that a right-hand drive U8 is also being evaluated in China.

EVDirect, BYD’s distributor in Australia, has previously shown interest in introducing the U8, although formal confirmation is yet to be released. There are also indications that the U8 may soon become available in other right-hand drive markets.

Meanwhile, a plethora of new vehicle offers can currently be explored through CarExpert, allowing prospective buyers to secure advantageous deals.

This isn’t the U8’s first appearance on Australian soil; a left-hand drive model has been showcased at various BYD dealerships throughout the country for some time now. The Yangwang U8 made its debut earlier in 2023 and is set to go on sale in China soon after. Positioned as a competitor to established luxury SUVs such as the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Range Rover, the U8 boasts an imposing size – measuring 5,319mm long, 2,050mm wide, and 1,930mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,050mm.

The U8 is an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and is equipped with four electric motors, a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, and a 49.05kWh Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. Collectively, these components generate a remarkable output of 880kW and 1,280Nm of torque, enabling a swift 0-100km/h acceleration in just 3.6 seconds.

Promising an electric-only range of up to 180km, the vehicle boasts a total range exceeding 1,000km. Inside, luxury touches abound, including Nappa leather seats and a total of six screens. Intriguingly, the U8’s standout feature is its ability to float in deep water for up to 30 minutes. In China, it carries a price tag of ¥1,089,000, translating to approximately $238,000 AUD.

The U8 isn’t the sole premium contender being tested by BYD in Australia. Recent posts in the BYD EV Owners Australia group on Facebook featured images of another rugged SUV, the Fangchengbao Bao 5, spotted in left-hand drive in Melbourne’s southeast corridor.

A look into its number plate via Service NSW reveals that it may be marketed as the Denza B5, aligning with BYD’s intention to introduce its premium Denza brand to Australia. Comparable in size to the Toyota Prado, the Bao 5 distinguishes itself with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with dual electric motors.

This SUV boasts power and torque figures nearing 500kW and over 700Nm respectively. According to reports, the vehicle can achieve the 0-100km/h sprint in a brisk 4.8 seconds. Like the U8, the Fangchengbao Bao 5 was unveiled in 2023 and became available in China by November of the same year. Its electric-only range is quoted as reaching up to 125km, powered by a 31.8kWh Blade LFP battery.

With a lighter build than the U8 at 2,890kg, the Bao 5 features body-on-frame construction and an integrated battery pack. The more advanced versions in China come equipped with hydraulic active suspension and off-road features that include three differential locks and a tank turn function. Its pricing in China is significantly more accessible than the U8, ranging from ¥239,800 (approximately A$52,000) to ¥302,800 (around A$66,000).

BYD Australia has yet to finalize the list of vehicles slated for release under the Denza brand, expected to arrive in 2025. However, the brand is known for offering only plug-in hybrid and electric models.

For further updates, stay tuned to developments surrounding BYD’s luxury offerings and their promising entry into the Australian automotive landscape.

Source:www.carexpert.com.au