The YangWang U8 from BYD can spin in place like a tank, float on water, move sideways like a crab, and boasts power exceeding many supercars. Now, the U8 has also demonstrated its ability to survive impacts from a large tree.
The Chinese automaker staged a cinematic durability test: dropping a palm tree directly onto the roof of the U8L – the extended version of the U8 – to prove the true robustness of the large luxury SUV.
BYD engineers repeatedly lifted the tree to a vertical position and dropped it onto the vehicle's roof three times, increasing the drop distance each time to amplify the force. According to YangWang, the maximum impact energy reached 50,4 kJ.
The bracing along the outer edge of the roof showed increasing deformation after each impact. However, the driver's door could still open, the windows remained intact, and the suspension and wheels were undamaged. The video shows the SUV restarting and driving away.
This demonstration is the latest in an ongoing PR campaign for the U8L, aiming to establish it as the toughest luxury SUV ever built by China.
Previous demonstrations showcased the vehicle spinning in place using its four-motor drivetrain and floating on water.
The U8L floats like a boat.
In China, the YangWang U8 starts at $150,000, while the U8L version is priced from $179,800. The SUV is an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV), meaning an internal combustion engine acts as a generator for the battery. In this case, it is a 2.0-liter turbo engine supporting a 49,05 kWh LFP battery pack.
The internal combustion engine combines with four electric motors, each producing 299,1 horsepower, for a total output of 1,197 horsepower and 1,280 Nm of torque. It has a top speed of 200 km/h and accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3,6 seconds.
My Anh (according to Sohu)
