[Auto] Yangwang U8, BYD's spectacular electric SUV is preparing for the major leagues

[FNX Magokiler]

BYD introduces Yangwang, a new premium brand dedicated to electric cars. Most importantly for Yangwang, its products will be based on the new e4 platform, China's first mass-produced independent four-engine architecture.

"The Yangwang brand will be the first to apply BYD Group's cutting-edge technologies and offer customers excellent safety, performance and experience even in extreme driving conditions," said Wang Chuanfu, President of BYD, at the launch.

This announcement was made by the hand of the U8, a spectacular off-road SUV for the premium segment, which points to models of the likes of the Land Rover Defender or Mercedes-Benz G-Class, but battery.

The e4 platform

All of Yangwang's models, including the U8 and the U9 supercar (which was shown as a surprise at the event), will use this four-engine architecture. This development is not new, however, what BYD plans is to massify these advances at a much more accessible price than one might think, seeking not to exceed $150,000.

BYD has been working on four independent engine architectures for more than 20 years. The problem lay in the cost of developing efficient and reliable electric motors, high-performance batteries (charge cycles, refrigeration, energy density, packaging) and the electronic control system.

 

 

A four-motor platform means that each wheel is driven by its own independent motor, rather than having one motor per axle, as is common. This means that all models on the e4 platform will have intelligent, real-time configurable AWD, with an unlimited level of control over torque to each wheel, thanks to no axles, transfer cases or differentials spreading power.

By cutting out all the "middlemen" in a powertrain, absolute power management freedom is achieved, and there's no better format to demonstrate this than an SUV.

The U8 sits on a traditional ladder chassis, but configured to house batteries (BYD's famous Blade batteries) and the e4 electrical architecture. This ensures the robustness of the powertrain, but in addition, BYD has adopted protocols for waterproofing and sealing the body under IP68 standards, perfect for wading through water safely.

This powertrain also has different functions: it can rotate 360 degrees on its own axis, it can move diagonally ("crab" style) and it even has a stability program to be able to drive with a flat tire at speeds of up to 120 km/h. h. It also has drive modes for ice, snow, dunes and more. And of course, thanks to having independent control over the wheels, its level of maneuverability is superior to that of any SUV of this size, being able to turn in tighter places (in less than 12 meters) or "make up" the weight of the vehicle in curves when adjusting the lateral torque. It can even brake from 100 km/h in less than 40 meters by using regenerative functions in the motors.

All these functions can also be applied to the safety level: a traction system of this level can allow safer maneuvers and enhance the functions of traction or stability controls.

The platform was designed to develop more than 1,100 Hp of power since each engine has an individual power close to 240 kW and 420 Nm of peak torque.

 

https://noticias.autocosmos.cl/2023/01/11/yangwang-u8-el-espectacular-todoterreno-electrico-de-byd-se-prepara-para-las-ligas-mayores