Stretched YangWang U8 six-seater seen on the streets

YangWang, a premium EV maker and part of BYD Company, is getting ready to launch a three-row version of its U8 SUV. This is evidenced by spy shots posted on Car News China, which says the model may debut as soon as the Chengdu Motor Show on August 30.

The original BYD YangWang U8 came out in China in 2023 as a luxury urban four-seater priced from 1,096,000 Yuan. It was sized 5,319 x 2,050 x 1,930 mm (207.8 x 80.1 x 75.4 inches) large with 3,050 mm (119.2 in) between the axles. It later spawned a version called the Off-road Master Edition, capable of wading water up to 1.4 meters (54.7 inches) high. BYD sold fewer than 6,000 units of the U8 in the first half of 2024.

Based on the new images, the stretched version of the SUV will sport a long rear overhang and a slightly extended wheelbase. The front end appears unchanged. The interior isn’t visible, but the media in China speculate that it has three seat rows inside with only two seats per row, as befits its luxury status.

From the powertrain perspective, the U8 is a serial hybrid that burns gas in a 2.0-liter turbo engine to provide extra electricity to the four motors driving the wheels. Each motor outputs a healthy 299 PS (295 hp / 220 kW) for a combined 1,196 PS (1,180 hp / 880 kW) and 1,280 Nm (944 lb-ft) of torque. Once full, the 49-kWh battery on board delivers 180 km (112 miles) of range, but a maxed-out gas tank extends it to 1,000 km (621 miles).