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China Asked For A Longer YangWang And BYD Delivered

  • The U8 L has an 127.9-inch wheelbase and will be sold exclusively in 2+2+2 configuration.
  • The luxury SUV uses the standard model’s quad-motor, turbo-four range-extender unit.
  • All up, the U8 delivers 1,180 hp and 944 lb-ft (1,280 Nm) of torque and can even do tank turns.

There’s no shortage of over-the-top SUVs these days, but the Yangwang U8 manages to stand out in a sea of excess, and not just for its wild features. It recently even caught the attention of California Governor Gavin Newsom, who seemed suitably impressed.

Apparently, though, BYD’s high-end sub-brand decided the original U8 wasn’t quite lavish enough, because now there’s an even longer and more luxurious version named the Yangwang U8 L.

Read: Watch BYD’s Yangwang U9 Jump Road Spikes (And The Shark)

According to new details out of China, the U8 L rides on a massive 3,250 mm (127.9-inch) wheelbase, which is 200 mm (7.8 inches) longer than the base model. This extra length makes room for a custom 2+2+2 seating configuration, bringing a touch of private-jet layout to your daily school run or mountain retreat. Unfortunately, Yangwang hasn’t shared interior photos yet, so we’ll have to imagine how those second-row thrones might look once you slide in.

Longer, Flashier, Shinier

However, some obvious changes have been made to the exterior of the new flagship U8. For starters, the Yangwang badge on the front grille can be finished in 24-karat gold, as can the emblem at the rear. The automaker’s designers have also crafted new 23-inch forged wheels for the U8 L that have floating center caps, just like a Rolls-Royce. These new wheels are wrapped in wider rubber than the standard model.

Around back, Yangwang has cleaned up the design by removing the spare wheel carrier. The result is a sleeker, more upmarket profile that dials down the rugged SUV cues and turns up the executive limo vibe.

 China Asked For A Longer YangWang And BYD Delivered

Same Power, Same Party Tricks

Underneath, the U8 L doesn’t mess with the formula. China’s Autohome reports that the U8 L shares the same drivetrain as the standard U8: four electric motors, a 2.0-liter turbocharged range-extender, and a 49.05 kWh battery pack. The numbers are hefty at 1,180 hp (880 kW) and 944 lb-ft (1,280 Nm) of torque, and the party tricks remain intact. That includes the ability to float in water and execute tank turns, thanks to each wheel getting its own motor.

Yangwang provided the world a glimpse at the U8 L at the recent Shanghai Auto Show, with production scheduled to kick off later this year. Prices could start at around 1.5 million yuan, or the equivalent of around $205,000 at current exchange rates. That’s a lot for a Chinese-built SUV, but it’s a relative bargain compared to a Rolls-Royce Cullinan that starts at over $400,000 in America.

That’s no small sum for Chinese-built SUV, but compared to a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, which starts at over $400,000 in the U.S., it almost feels like a deal, especially if your idea of a bargain includes gold trim and amphibious capabilities.

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BYD’s SUV Rips Off Genesis So Hard You’ll Do A Double Take

  • The BYD Sea Lion 06 is a new electrified SUV from China with styling that feels familiar.
  • Its front end borrows heavily from Genesis, while the rear sports Bentley-inspired taillights.
  • Buyers can choose between single or dual electric motors, or a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

In a sea of reveals at the Shanghai Auto Show, it’s easy to miss a few standout vehicles, especially with the rapid-fire pace of new model debuts. But once the dust settles, a few interesting names float to the surface, one of them being the new BYD Sea Lion 06, a sharp-looking electrified SUV with a front end that feels like it wandered out of a Genesis design studio.

More: Denza Z Is An Electric 911 Rival With A Fold-Away Steering Wheel

The split LED headlights look straight out of the Korean luxury brand’s playbook, flanking a grille-free nose that closely resembles the refreshed Genesis GV60. But the Sea Lion 06 doesn’t go in for sleek coupe-SUV theatrics. Instead, it opts for a more upright SUV stance that gives it a bit more presence on the road, and maybe a bit more practicality too.

Design Details with Familiar Influences

A few other styling cues stand out, like the wraparound greenhouse and a set of full-width taillights that evolve the design language of the BYD Seal sedan. There’s even a nod to Bentley in the way the rear light bar is shaped, nothing over-the-top, but enough to suggest BYD’s designers have been paying attention to the high-end crowd.

Step inside, and it’s a familiar sight for anyone who’s looked at a modern Chinese EV. The centerpiece is a 15.6-inch infotainment screen mounted to the center of the dash, a setup that’s practically standard at this point. What does break up the usual formula is the floating center console, fitted with metallic-look switchgear that feels like another subtle Genesis reference. As expected from BYD, the Sea Lion 06 comes equipped with its in-house “God’s Eye” advanced driver assistance suite.

Two Powertrains, One Look

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BYD

Underneath, the SUV rides on BYD’s updated e-Platform 3.0 Evo. Buyers can choose between a fully electric version or a plug-in hybrid (DM-i). The EV comes in both single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive configurations. Meanwhile, the plug-in hybrid pairs electric drive with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine. Despite these different drivetrains, the exterior remains identical across variants, BYD didn’t even tweak the wheel design for the sake of differentiation.

More: BYD Changes Course After Realizing Not Everyone Is Ready For EVs

As suggested by its name, the BYD Sea Lion 06 is positioned under the Sea Lion 07, although the difference in size between them is quite small. More specifically, the 06 measures 4,810 mm (189.4 inches) long, which is only 20 mm (0.8 inches) shorter than the 07. Still, the 2,820 mm (111.0 inches) wheelbase of the 06 is a 110 mm (4.3 inches) shorter than that of the 07.

Even so, the Sea Lion 06 has a bigger footprint than rivals like the Tesla Model Y and the Genesis GV60, and its shape suggests it might be more suited to family duties than some of its sleeker competitors.

As for pricing, BYD is aiming squarely at the value segment. In China, the Sea Lion 06 is expected to land between ¥160,000 and ¥200,000, which translates to roughly $22,000 to $27,500. Whether this electrified SUV makes its way to markets outside China, such as Europe, remains to be seen.

 BYD’s SUV Rips Off Genesis So Hard You’ll Do A Double Take
The original Genesis GV60.
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