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.

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.

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.

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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

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.

Mercedes is in the midst of a design evolution, aiming to unify the styling language across both its electric and combustion vehicles. Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer for all brands under the Mercedes-Benz Group, says the company is determined to avoid the dreaded “sea of sameness” that’s overtaking the automotive world and steer clear of producing “appliances on wheels”. Or at least, that’s the plan.

Speaking with Autocar at the Shanghai Auto Show, Wagener dropped a few breadcrumbs about what’s next for the brand’s design direction. “The worst part of new design trends is having no identity,” he said, likely referencing the wave of rather uninspiring, cookie-cutter EVs flooding the Chinese market right now.

Luxury Means More Than Just Getting From A to B

For Wagener, standing out is even more critical in the premium segment. He explained, “When it comes to luxury, you start a love affair with the car. You attach emotion to it. You don’t just want an appliance that gets you from A to B.” He defined luxury as something that’s desired, not needed, adding that Mercedes doesn’t aim to make “appliances on wheels.”

Instead, the brand will focus on communicating “respect” through design, something Wagener believes buyers inherently associate with the Mercedes-Benz name. He explained, “You deserve some respect. You’ve made something out of yourself and you’ve been successful in life, so you deserve some respect for that.”

A Glimpse of the Future: Mercedes Vision V Concept

Wagener pointed to the new Mercedes Vision V concept, which was revealed at the Shanghai Auto Show, as an embodiment of this design philosophy. The concept previews the next-generation Mercedes V-Class and is built on the new VAN.EA architecture. Its exterior features an illuminated grille, cutting-edge LEDs, and sculpted bodywork. Inside, it’s decked out with a 65-inch screen and a ridiculous 42 speakers in what Wagener describes as a “private lounge interior.”

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As for the grille, Wagener stressed that it’s a critical part of the Vision V’s design. “The iconic signature grille that nobody else has is important,” he said. But he also made it clear that bigger isn’t always better.

“You see a lot of big grilles out there, and this alone is not necessary. Respect probably has to do with the sublime. When you look at buildings, churches, temples, they have to have a deeper meaning, and this Mercedes grille is probably the best known around the world, so it has a meaning that many people associate with a lot of things – and no other brand has that,” said Wagener .

A Unified Design for ICE and EV Models

Mercedes has long stated it wants to have a common styling language for electric and combustion models, abandoning the polarizing egg-shaped designs of the EQE and EQS lines. The new strategy has already been showcased by the G-Class and the new CLA, and will be followed by the upcoming GLC as well as the next generation of the E-Class and S-Class sedans.

More: 2027 Mercedes E-Class EV Mule Spied, Final Design Will Ditch Egg Shape

“In the first generation, we did purpose design because it was special and people want to show they are driving electric cars, and to make them a bit different, more aerodynamic and futuristic-looking”, Wagener explained. The differentiation between EV and ICE no longer matters for buyers, so Mercedes will “definitely move away from that”.

Mercedes has pledged to introduce 17 new or refreshed EVs and 19 ICE models by 2027. This means that its designers will have plenty of opportunities to show us what they mean with “respect”. Hopefully, this will help the brand establish a strong identity not just against its homegrown premium rivals, like BMW and Audi, but also new ones coming from China.