The performance car and luxury SUV segments in Ireland look set for a shakeup in the next year when Chinese carmaker BYD launches two new vehicles from their Yangwang division, writes Brian Byrne.
The U8 SUV and U9 supercar have been shown to Irish dealers and motoring media by MDL, importers of BYD cars here, following their European debut at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed. Though no arrival date for RHD versions, nor their prices, are yet available, the importers are promising a competitive offering.
The U8, sized similarly to a long-wheelbase Range Rover, is a highly-appointed large SUV with electric motors on each wheel offering a total of 1,200hp via a 49kWh battery in turn charged by a 2.0 turbocharged petrol engine. Total range is in the region of 1,000km, and the claimed performance is a 3.6s sprint to 100km/h. Weighing a massive 3.5 tonnes, the U8 is nevertheless designed to be able to 'float' on water for up to 30 minutes, propelled by its wheels at around 3km/h.
The U8 is built on the same BYD platform but is a 2-seater supercar with space-age looks and a fully electric powertrain. Again, a motor on each wheel and a total output of 1,300hp, the car has Formula 1 performance to 100km/h of less than 2.4s. The claimed range is 450km. Technology includes an automatic adjustment of ground clearance at different speeds.
Originally a battery manufacturing company, BYD now employs 700,000 people in China. In Ireland, MDL has appointed six dealerships for the brand, and more are on the way.
