BYD is getting ready to launch a new luxury brand called Yangwang (which translates to ‘look up’ in Chinese) with its first production model being a rugged-looking SUV. Yangwang teased the yet-unnamed model, showing its futuristic lighting arrangement while announcing that it will debut in China on January 5. The Yangwang-branded SUV is rumored to adopt the R1 nameplate. The company recently published photos of a heavily camouflaged prototype revealing a boxy off-road silhouette that is very similar to the Land Rover Defender. The new official teasers posted on Weibo confirm what we saw in previously leaked patent filing images and speculative renderings in terms of the model’s futuristic styling cues.
The LED headlights look like a
continuation of the chrome-infused pattern of the covered grille. We can also
see the high-mounted L-shaped taillights, the LED strips on the mirror caps,
and some sort of gills on the D-pillars. Other styling cues that are known are
the squared-off wheel arches, and the full-size spare wheel mounted on the
tailgate that is expected to get an octagon-shaped cover.
Yangwang’s product plans and logo that
were revealed last week show that the Chinese brand is focused on
electrification, although it is not clear whether it will be limited to battery
electric vehicles or offer a wider range of NEVs. The SUV will reportedly
feature a zero-emission powertrain with four electric motors (one for each
wheel). Chinese media have reported that it will get a tank-turn function and a
specific mode allowing it to float in water crossings.
Unlike BYD which offers budget-friendly
vehicles, Yangwang will price its models between ¥ 800,000 and ¥ 1,500,000
(US$ 115,000 and US$ 215,000), making them comparable with high-end offerings from
BMW and Mercedes. We will learn more about the SUV on January 5. Its market
launch in China is expected in 2023, though it is not clear if Yangwang intends
on exporting vehicles to other markets. Among the main rivals of the SUV will
be the upcoming Mercedes-Benz EQG.
