BYD plans to debut ultra-luxury EV sedan in UAE first

BYD is preparing to launch its newest ultra-luxury electric sedan in the United Arab Emirates. This marks the first time the company will debut a major vehicle outside of China. Hu Xiaoqing, the general manager of BYD's Yangwang brand, confirmed the plan this week. The company has not yet announced a specific date for the event.

The new model is designed to be BYD's largest and most premium electric car. Its dimensions and shape are comparable to the Rolls-Royce Phantom. The vehicle targets buyers who currently purchase from brands like Bentley and Mercedes-Maybach. This is a significant shift for a company best known for affordable cars. For example, the BYD Seagull hatchback sells for under $10,000 in China.

BYD has expanded its product range significantly in recent years. It now offers entry-level electric vehicles, large SUVs, pickup trucks, and supercars. The company operates through several sub-brands. These include Denza, FangChengBao, and Yangwang. The Dynasty and Ocean families also fall under the main BYD name.

Yangwang serves as the top tier of BYD's hierarchy. It acts as a showcase for the company's latest technology. Previous Yangwang models used the quad-motor e4 platform. This system produces 1,300 horsepower. It also features the DiSus-X intelligent body control system. That system allows the vehicle to dance, jump, and drive on three wheels.

Hu released images of the new sedan undergoing testing last month. The car was covered in camouflage, but its size was visible. Local reports estimate the length at around 5,500 millimeters. That is approximately 216 inches. Zheng Yu, the executive general manager of Yangwang, stated that the car will feature unprecedented disruptive technology. He did not provide specific details on what that technology entails.

Some features can be inferred from recent sightings. The sedan was displayed at a BYD Flash Charging station. This suggests it supports megawatt flash charging. The car also features rear-hinged coach doors. This is a first for the manufacturer. Reports indicate it is the first model to use BYD's solid-state batteries. Stella Li, the executive vice president, told Carwow.es last month that the first solid-state battery vehicle would debut in 2027.

The official debut is expected to take place this month. Rumored pricing starts in the 2 million yuan range. That is roughly $300,000. This price point is well above the current Yangwang lineup. The U7 electric sedan starts at 658,000 yuan, or $98,000. The brand also sells the U8 and U8L plug-in hybrid SUVs and the U9 electric super-coupe. The extended U8L is the current highest-priced mass-produced vehicle, starting at 1.45 million yuan, or $217,000.