As electric vehicles gradually become the norm, carmakers are stepping up their innovations. And if there’s one brand that likes to push back the boundaries of what’s possible, it’s YangWang, BYD’s ultra-premium brand. After impressing the world with its electric know-how, the Chinese giant is now tackling the amphibious market with the YangWang U8.
A vehicle that swims
Presented for the first time at the end of 2023 and marketed in China during 2024, the YangWang U8 has become one of the world’s most viral car attractions in just a few months. And the reason? Because it floats and swims! The U8 is capable of withstanding partial immersion, floating for more than thirty minutes thanks to its « emergency floating » mode, and above all of moving forward and performing a « tank turn ».
So how does it work? The interior and battery are designed to withstand water, and the vehicle is declared with an IP68 waterproof rating according to BYD. Once submerged, the engine is switched off immediately, and the hydropneumatic suspension raises the chassis to the maximum to improve draught and help maintain buoyancy. The doors and windows lock and the sunroof opens (for ventilation, but also as an emergency exit if the situation gets complicated).
To move around, four electric motors are placed close to the tyres and activate to set this wheeled behemoth in motion. The maximum speed is 3 km/h, which is not very fast, but is still sufficient in critical situations.
A concentrate of technology
The U8 is based on BYD’s e4 platform and, as already mentioned, is equipped with four electric motors, one at each wheel, for a combined power of over 1,100 bhp. This combination enables the U8 to accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in less than 4 seconds, to reach a top speed of 200 kph, to offer exceptional traction on all types of terrain and to keep going even if a tyre bursts.
Equipped with a 49.05 kWh battery, it has a range of 180 km on 100% electric power according to the Chinese CLTC test cycle. As a hybrid car, the combined range (electric + combustion) reaches 1,000 km according to some data sheets.
Exterior design: massive, bold and spectacular
As you’d expect, the Chinese brand hasn’t stopped at a ‘simple’ amphibious car. The U8 is no small European SUV: it’s a behemoth, over 5.3 metres long with a wheelbase of 3.05 metres. In terms of width, it’s just over 2 metres long, and in terms of height, it measures 1.93 metres.
Aesthetically, the YangWang U8 makes a statement. Its design oscillates between luxury 4×4 and high-tech expedition vehicle, with a visual presence that is hard to ignore. The wide wheel arches, generous ground clearance and LED ‘tactical headlamp’ lighting signature accentuate its appearance as a modern colossus. At the front, the massive, almost sculptural grille asserts an ultra-premium positioning, halfway between an electrified Defender and a civilised military concept car.
A rolling high-tech show
Positioned in the ultra-premium range, the interior of the U8 reflects this desire. According to YangWang, top-of-the-range leather covers many of the vehicle’s surfaces. In terms of equipment, three XXL screens dominate the space, complemented by a premium audio system for « total immersion ». According to YangWang, this trim level puts the U8 in competition with ultra-luxury segment benchmarks such as the BMW XM, Mercedes-Maybach GLS and Range Rover SV, while retaining YangWang’s own avant-garde touch.
Why such a vehicle?
Through its YangWang brand, BYD has developed a vehicle designed to withstand the flooding that is common in certain regions of China, a challenge that few other vehicles can meet. In addition, the brand wants to demonstrate its total mastery of electrification, even in extreme programmes such as an aquatic environment.
Too heavy for Europe: the major obstacle
But while this vehicle has been on sale in China for over a year, its arrival in Europe may well be delayed for holders of a B licence. With an unladen weight of over 3.4 tonnes and a total permissible gross weight well in excess of 3.5 tonnes, the U8 is classified as a heavy vehicle by European standards.
In practical terms, this means :
• a licence other than a B licence,
• traffic restrictions in certain towns,
• higher taxation,
• more expensive insurance,
• a very complex certification process.
Clearly, this type of vehicle is not suited to the European market, where exceeding the 3.5 tonne mark is almost prohibitive for family use. This is one of the reasons why, for the time being, the U8 will be reserved for China and a few Middle Eastern countries.
On the other hand, this model shows the direction in which BYD and its luxury brand YangWang intend to move forward: innovate, surprise and push back the limits of electric power.
A symbol of an industry in the throes of transformation
Clearly, the U8 is perhaps one of the most spectacular vehicles of this new electric era. It is a perfect illustration of the shift the industry is undergoing: from now on, anything seems possible, even creating an amphibious electric SUV with 1,100 horsepower.
Between you and me, whether you like this kind of extravagance or not: it’s exactly what makes electromobility so exciting today.
