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Elon Musk, it’s mentioned, was inspired by one in all his sons to make the long run appear like the long run. Therefore the Cybertruck which we touched a couple of week in the past. Yesterday, we had a bit of journey to see the Yangwang U8 — the long run from BYDs’ perspective. BYD has made its identify all through the world, and particularly right here in Australia, by promoting value-for-money autos. The U8 is its first car from its high-end sub-brand — Yangwang. It’s a “wow” — an enormous and costly 4-wheel drive MoFo! The U8 just isn’t on the market in Australia (but) but when it was, the value could be north of AUD$200,000.
To seize the ideas of the long run, we took our two granddaughters alongside (aged 10 and eight). As I spoke with a gross sales rep, Majella took photographs and the women explored the automobile. I used to be amazed at how at house they have been manipulating the screens and exploring the choices. They appear most fascinated by the therapeutic massage choices on the rear passenger seats. Surprisingly, they weren’t so concerned with music or infotainment.
Elizabeth and Isobelle undoubtedly thought that this car may kind a part of their future. That they had no worry as they performed with the controls on the again seat screens (three of them). They discovered methods to open the sunroof (wouldn’t need them to do this once we have been driving), open and shut the door handles, open and shut the home windows, and naturally get pleasure from a therapeutic massage (three differing kinds have been out there — see picture).
I requested Isobelle how she discovered the therapeutic massage possibility. She defined it to me patiently. “I hit the automobile button on the display on the again of the seat, selected which seat I wished it to therapeutic massage, then selected which sort of therapeutic massage I wished — wave, loosen up, and so on. — and hit the therapeutic massage button.” She is used to explaining issues to her technologically backward grandfather.
She thought that it was great that kids within the again seat may management issues from their very own screens. I did clarify that there must be some type of parental locking gadget so that they couldn’t function the automobile’s capabilities and grow to be the worst sort of backseat drivers. The women additionally discovered the compartment with USB chargers tucked away below the air vents.
The screens gave them entry to quite a lot of seat changes. The display between the seats gave the time and choices for music. They advised me they discovered some app icons, however have been having fun with the therapeutic massage a lot they didn’t discover these. It was like having an entire vary of iPads and so they felt at house with that. They learnt by experimenting. Simply as properly — we have been stationary on the showroom ground.
I requested Isobelle what her first impressions have been. She mentioned: “I really like this, I would like one.” So, after all, being good grandparents, we despatched this remark and a few photographs to her dad and mom. The response: “She’ll need to work arduous and save up.”
It was the whole reverse of our introduction to the minimalist Cybertruck. The U8 was a giant brassy blonde who didn’t thoughts the doubletakes of those that walked previous the showroom window — no overlaying material right here. Although, it does really feel like a “bait and swap” — get ‘em within the showroom with the U8, after which promote them an Atto 3. Identical to Tesla is doing in Australia with the Cybertruck. Or are they testing the water?
Though I’m certain that there’s a marketplace for the Cybertruck in Australia, I’m not certain how huge a market there could be for this beast. The gross sales rep in contrast the U8 favourably with a Rolls-Royce. If the demand for the U8 is identical as for a Rolls, then BYD won’t promote many. The automobile has been in contrast with the GMC Hummer EV and the Bentley Bentayga. Nevertheless, BYD has bought 5,000 U8’s thus far in China at a value of round AUD$200,000, and has a backlog of 30,000 orders.
In accordance with the BYD web site: “BYD’s e⁴Platform is the world’s first mass-produced four-motor unbiased drive expertise platform. The U8 Premium Version packs a whopping 1,200 horsepower, it will probably dash from 0 to 100 km/h in simply 3.6 seconds. The exact torque vectoring on every wheel ensures stability even throughout a tire blowout, pushing the boundaries of energetic automotive security.”
And moreover: “The U8 Premium Version helps quick DC charging at charges of as much as 110 kW, permitting a cost from 30% to 80% in simply 18 minutes. In excessive situations, akin to flash floods or off-road water obstacles, the U8 Premium Version can stay afloat for as much as half-hour, sustaining stability and management for swift evasion. Its 6 kW vehicle-to-load (VTL) discharge functionality can energy digital units and high-power tools for as much as 25 hours. The Yangwang U8 Premium Version integrates 38 high-precision parts and the sturdy NVIDIA ADRIVE Orin clever driving processor, with a computational functionality of as much as 508 TOPS. The Yangwang U8 Premium Version is supplied with Blade Batteries and supplemented with Cell-to-Chassis (CTC) expertise, guaranteeing complete journey security.”
The BYD Yangwang U8 has a 49.5 kWh LFP battery, which provides it a spread of 112 miles on electrical energy alone. So, we might in all probability describe it as an EREV — an prolonged vary electrical car. That is paired with a 2-litre turbo petrol engine that drives 4 “in wheel” electrical motors. It has a high velocity of 124 mph (200 km/h). Not dangerous for a 4-ton car that may act as a ship. Don’t imagine me? Watch this video.
The luxurious inside boasts high-end Nappa leather-based seats mixed with sapele wooden from Africa. The inside of the U8 was luxurious — it made the minimalist Cybertruck appear like the “pov pack.” There’s even a storage cubby beneath the central armrest that may be cooled to −6 levels Celsius or heated to 50 levels Celsius (21 to 122 levels Fahrenheit).
You may definitely see the place the cash went. Not so with the Cybertruck.
Once we first noticed the U8 within the showroom, I believed it was enormous. So, I believed it is likely to be enjoyable to check it with the scale of the Cybertruck. The Yangwang is 5319 mm (209.4 inches) lengthy; 2050 mm (80.7 inches) large; 1930 mm (76 inches) excessive; with a wheelbase of 3050 mm and a kerb weight of 3460 kg (7628 lb).
The Tesla Cybertruck is 5683 mm (223.7 inches) lengthy, 2200 mm (86.6 inches) large with mirrors folded, and 1796 mm (70.5 inches) excessive and a kerb weight of 3130 kg (6901 lb). The U8 is shorter than the Cybertruck, narrower however greater, and barely heavier. Not a variety of distinction actually. Simply appeared quite a bit bigger in particular person.
Do I favor the U8 to the Cybertruck — no. Simply completely different autos for various makes use of and demographics. The U8 can act like a ship, however the CyberTtruck is bullet proof.
To evaluate how issues have been going for BYD gross sales typically, I requested our pleasant gross sales rep which BYD mannequin was doing the worst. He replied that it was the Dolphin, as a result of “Australian drivers don’t need hatchbacks.” This contrasts strongly with information popping out of China — the place the Seagull (not but out there in Australia) is sitting at quantity two within the high ten — even greater than the Tesla Y. Hopefully when the Seagull arrives in Australia it is going to promote properly — presumably because the second automobile in a two-car household. The PHEV Sea Lion 6 is the best-selling BYD plug-in at current in Australia.
The Yangwang will likely be leaving Brisbane quickly for its subsequent displaying. Within the two weeks it has been on the ground in Brisbane not less than 100 folks have are available in and checked out it. BYD is increasing quickly in Australia, bringing in new fashions and establishing showrooms, expertise centres, and companions up for servicing. I anticipate 2025 will likely be a bumper yr for them, particularly with deliveries of the Shark commencing quickly.
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