BYD's YangWang U8 SUV Showcases Emergency Float Mode

The highlight of the showcase is the Emergency Float Mode, a feature that propels the U8 beyond conventional terrains.

In a groundbreaking move, BYD's flagship SUV, the YangWang U8, showcased its remarkable Emergency Float Mode, demonstrating its capability to navigate deep waters. The feature sets the U8 apart in the competitive SUV market, adding a layer of versatility that caters to adventurous drivers. The highlight of the showcase is the Emergency Float Mode, a feature that propels the U8 beyond conventional terrains.

In a video shared by BYD, a camouflaged YangWang U8 floats on water, demonstrating its passive safety failsafe in deep waters. The intelligent wading detection system recognises when the vehicle is afloat, triggering the emergency mode. This mode empowers the SUV to drive, steer, and execute U-turns in water, providing users with a swift and secure passage to solid ground.

What distinguishes this feature is its passive activation, ensuring the Emergency Float Mode engages when necessary. The video showcases the U8 floating and using its wheels as propellers in a natural environment, setting it apart from other electric vehicles that undergo deep water testing in controlled environments.

Before the revelation of the Emergency Float Mode, the YangWang U8 had already gained attention for its cutting-edge features. At the Shanghai Auto Show, BYD showcased the U8's intelligent body control system, DiSus, and its unique usage of BYD's wheel drive (IWD) technology platform called "e4." The U8 demonstrated a crabwalk feature using the DiSus system and a U-turn mode that allows the vehicle to spin 360 degrees on a dime.

Launched in China in September, the YangWang U8 boasts an impressive powertrain. It is an electric range-extended vehicle (EREV) with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine generating power for four electric motors, resulting in a combined output of 1180 bhp. The U8 is available in two versions: the Premium Edition and the Off-road Master Edition.

The Premium Edition, priced at 1,089,000 yuan (approximately 150,000 US dollars), claims the title of China's most expensive mass-produced electric car. The Off-road Master Edition, equipped with additional off-road features, is set to hit the market later.

Beyond its floating capabilities, the U8 is packed with advanced technology. It supports DC fast charging up to 110 kW, allowing 30 to 80 per cent charging in 18 minutes. The vehicle-to-load (VTL) discharge capability of 6 kW can power electronic devices for up to 25 hours.

Inside, the U8 uses Nappa leather, and features six massive screens, and a 70-inch augmented reality head-up display. The U8 also features a thermographic camera, an integrated satellite phone, and three wireless chargers. Both versions come with spare tyres.