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Yangwang is a luxury Chinese electric car brand owned by BYD, the maker of the Seal saloon and Dolphin hatchback. Its latest car, the U8, is a plug-in hybrid SUV that can float on water.
Currently only sold in China, the U8 was revealed to European audiences for the first time at the Paris Motor Show earlier this year. The car looks like a chunky Land Rover Defender with hints of the Kia EV9 around the headlights.
The floating SUV can sail a car full of people across water for up to 30 minutes moving at a speed of 3km/h by spinning its wheels. However, the U8’s float feature is for emergencies only and is not to be used for traditional SUV wading.
BYD insists that the technology isn’t a gimmick and could save lives in an accident involving water or a flood. After being submerged, the car must be inspected at a service station.
Watch a demonstration of the Yangwang U8's emergency float mode.
Swimming isn’t the only trick the Yangwang U8 has up its sleeve. The SUV can also park sideways and rotate 360 degrees on the spot, completing a tank-style turn in seconds thanks to four electric motors and wheels that can turn in opposite directions.
The U8 also comes equipped with a built-in drone mounted to the roof that can be deployed to help drivers see what’s up ahead. There’s even a storage cubby beneath the central armrest that can be cooled to -6 degrees Celsius.
The Yangwang U8 is a range extender plug-in hybrid that weighs around 3,500kg. It comes equipped with a 49kWh battery and a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. According to Chinese economy figures, the U8 has a 112-mile electric-only range.
Inside, the SUV feels luxurious with high-quality Nappa leather and wood veneers used throughout the cabin. There’s plenty of space and many screens in the front and back.
While BYD has already entered the UK market with its ocean-themed cars and will release the Sealion 07 very soon, there are currently no official plans to bring the Yangwang U8 to Europe just yet.
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