BYD’s next flagship electric vehicle will be its largest and most luxurious electric sedan yet, and will potentially feature two firsts for the company: Rolls-Royce-style coach doors and solid-state batteries.
BYD to present its new flagship electric sedan in the United Arab Emirates
BYD is best known for its low-cost electric cars, such as the Seagull, a small hatchback that sells for less than $10,000 in China.
The Chinese auto giant has greatly expanded its portfolio in recent months and years. BYD now offers everything from entry-level electric vehicles to iconic three-row SUVs, pickup trucks, electric supercars, and just about everything in between.
BYD has three sub-brands: Denza, FangChengBao and Yangwang. It also has two main families under the BYD brand: the Dynasty and Ocean series.
Yangwang sits at the top of BYD’s brand hierarchy and showcases its latest innovative technologies.
Previously, Yangwang vehicles debuted on BYD’s four-motor e4 platform, delivering a whopping 1,300 horsepower and featuring its DiSus-X intelligent body control system, which allows the vehicle to “dance”, jump and drive on three wheels.
For its next model, BYD is moving towards the elite segment to take on ultra-luxury brands such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Mercedes-Maybach.
Yangwang general manager Hu Xiaoqing revealed several images of testing its new executive sedan last month.
Although it was disguised, it appeared to be about the same shape and size as the Mercedes-Benz Maybach S-Class or the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Local reports indicate that it will be around 5,500 mm (216″) long.
HU first confirmed last week that the global launch of the new flagship sedan will take place in the United Arab Emirates, not BYD’s home market of China.
BYD has not yet revealed a specific launch date, but the Yangwang sedan could make its first appearance next week. According CarNewsChinaCiting “sources familiar with the project,” BYD aims to reveal the new flagship model in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, around November 5.
Zheng Yu, CEO of Yangwang, said the new model will feature “unprecedented disruptive technology,” but did not disclose details.
Although details are still limited, the ultra-luxury sedan was shown at BYD’s flash charging station, suggesting it will support megawatt flash charging.
It also features rear-hinged coach doors, a first for BYD. The flagship electric vehicle will reportedly be the first to feature solid-state batteries from BYD.
BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li said during an interview with Carwow.com last month that the company’s first vehicle to use solid-state batteries will debut in 2027.
Li said BYD is “in the leading position” in solid-state battery technology and its commercialization, and the company plans to demonstrate it next year.
BYD’s battery unit, FinDreams, plans to begin production of sulfur-based solid-state batteries in 2027. They will initially be produced in limited batches and then scaled up to mass production closer to the end of the decade.
While BYD hasn’t confirmed it yet, it would make sense to introduce the new battery technology in a flagship model.
The executive sedan is expected to debut around November 5. Prices are rumored to start in the 2 million yuan range, or around $300,000.
Yangwang’s current electric sedan, the U7, has a starting price of 658,000 yuan ($98,000). The brand also sells the U8 (and U8L), a plug-in hybrid luxury off-road SUV, and the U9, an all-electric supercoupe.
The expanded U8L is Yangwang’s highest-priced mass-produced vehicle, with a starting price of 1.45 million yuan ($217,000).
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