BYD has revealed the plug-in hybrid variant (PHEV) of the Seal U SUV and the Yangwang U8 water-floating electric SUV at the Geneva Motor Show 2024.

The Seal U DM-i plug-in hybrid marks BYD’s debut in Europe with the use of their ‘Super DM Technology,’ denoting Dual Mode and presenting an alternative to their fully electric models. Measuring 4,775mm in length, 1,890mm in width, and 1,670mm in height, this vehicle is shorter but wider and taller compared to the BYD Seal sedan.

In China, the BYD Seal U comes with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain featuring a 106bhp 1.5-liter petrol engine combined with a 194 bhp electric motor. This motor is powered by an 18.3kWh battery, providing the SUV with an electric-only range of 109km. The battery can be charged from 30% to 80% in approximately 35 minutes, and the car offers vehicle-to-load charging capability.

The design follows the brand’s ‘Ocean Aesthetics’ language, extending to the interior with an ‘Ocean-heart’ center console, a crystal gear selector, a 15.6-inch rotatable full LCD touchscreen, over-the-air updates, an Infinity sound system, voice command, and Bluetooth wireless charging.

The U8, a hardcore 1200hp SUV under BYD’s premier sub-brand, YangWang, boasts capabilities such as 360-degree tank turns and emergency water wading with a floating feature. Priced at RMB 1,098,000, it holds the title of being China’s most expensive mass-produced electric car. Weighing around 3.5 metric tons, the Yangwang U8 is driven by four electric motors, each with 220 kW of power, embedded in its wheels.

Functioning as an AWD electric range extended vehicle (EREV), the U8 utilizes an internal combustion engine as a power generator for the battery, though it isn’t directly linked to the wheels. Featuring the LFP Blade Battery with a capacity of 49.05 kWh, it provides a range of 180 km. With a full battery and a 75-liter tank, the U8 can cover a distance of 1000 km without needing a stop.

The vehicle’s top speed is capped at 200 km/h, and it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds. Positioned on an e4 platform, the YangWang U8 incorporates a Disus-P hydraulic body control system, allowing for an adjustable vehicle height of up to 150 mm.