BYD YangWang U7 Sedan Globally Revealed, Makes 986bhp Using Four Electric Motors

BYD's luxury EV brand, YangWang, has revealed its "flagship" sedan in the Chinese market. Called the U7, the electric vehicle gets the brand's signature headlamps underlined by a carbon-fibre splitter. A sloped bonnet line and a large air intake with ultrasonic radar further characterise the vehicle's front end. On the sides, the YangWang U7 features retractable door handles and 21-inch, 5-spoke wheels with continental tyres. Meanwhile, at the back, the car has a single taillight unit, closely resembling the U9 electric sports car. Other bits include a LiDAR sensor from RoboSense and a sporty rear diffuser. 

The new YangWang U7 sits on the BYD’s e4 platform that underpins the YangWang U8 and the U9. In terms of dimensions, it measures 5,265mm long, 1,998mm wide, and 1,517mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,160mm. It is the third YangWang vehicle after the U8 SUV and the U9 sports car. It will first go on sale in its home country during the second half of this year.   

Also Read: BYD Overtakes Tesla as World's Leading Electric Car Maker, Records 30 Lakh Annual Sales in 2023

BYD YangWang U7: Drag Coefficient

Moreover, the upcoming U7 flagship sedan is also claimed to be among the most aerodynamic passenger cars to enter production, with a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.195. Another electric sedan to get the same drag coefficient as the U7 is the Xiaomi SU7, the smartphone giant's first electric car. The Xiaomi SU7 comes in two versions: SU7 and SU7 Max. The base model uses rear-wheel-drive tech with Xiaomi’s in-house V6 engine, delivering 295bhp and 400Nm of torque, while the performance version SU7 Max gets all-wheel-drive tech with dual motor, capable of producing 664bhp and 838Nm of torque.

BYD YangWang U7: Powertrain

While the company has yet to reveal complete technical details, we do know that the new YangWang U7 is equipped with four electric motors, belting out 986bhp (1,000hp) of maximum power. However, it remains to be seen whether it will be an EREV (Extended Range Electric Vehicle) or an all-electric vehicle. 

For reference, the all-electric U9 comes with a 100kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery and four electric motors, resulting in a combined output of 1,099bhp, while a range-extender powertrain of the U8 includes a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, a 49.1kWh LFP battery, and four electric motors. This setup makes 1,179bhp of power. 

BYD YangWang U7: Price, Availability

The YangWang U7 will be available for purchase in China during the second half of 2024. Price-wise, the new electric sedan will ask for ¥1 million (roughly Rs 1.16 crore). 

Also Read: Upcoming EV Launches in India: Tata Punch EV, Mahindra XUV.E8, BYD Seal and More

In terms of market rivalry, the YangWang U7 will compete with the BMW i5 and the Mercedes-Benz EQE.