YangWang U6, the latest addition to BYD’s growing portfolio slides through the air with greater ease than any other production car out there. Officially announced at the Academic Annual Conference Of the Automotive Aerodynamics Committee of China, this new electric sedan boasts an eye-popping drag coefficient of 0.195 Cd.
For the non-car geeks among us, that’s basically the aerodynamic equivalent of Superman donning a sleek, slim-fit suit. And yes, that’s better than industry giants such as the Mercedes-Benz EQS and Tesla Model S Plaid, which sport drag coefficients of 0.20 Cd and 0.208 Cd respectively.
YangWang emerged as BYD’s luxury NEV brand, launched with much fanfare earlier this year. Come April, the YangWang U8 SUV started its pre-sale dance in China for a cool £130,000. The U9 electric sports car was the second to grace the stage. But then, cue the dramatic music, the sedan ‘U6’ was announced. Contrary to expectations, BYD decided to skip the “U7” nomenclature, favoring the number 6 – seen as lucky in Chinese culture. Sorry, Western superstitions, this isn’t your gig.
Spy shots and EU patent images hinted at the U6’s entry into the luxury scene, positioning it as a contender against heavyweights like the Mercedes-Benz EQS and BMW i7. What made everyone sit up was a deviation from the EU patent images: cameras replacing traditional side view mirrors. Perhaps BYD figured: why stick to convention when innovation beckons? It’s also worth noting, and yes, appreciating, the U6’s slick roofline, retractable door handles, and aerodynamic wheel covers. Oh, and let’s not forget that active rear spoiler.
Patent image of the YangWang U6
It’s no surprise then that this beauty has been baptized as the “China State of the Art Technology of Automobile Aerodynamics” at the Academic Conference. Although this smacks of PR grandeur, it’s hard to deny the sedan’s aerodynamic prowess, especially when comparing its statistics with some of the industry’s most notable names.
But the U6 isn’t just about external aesthetics. Dive into the cockpit and you’re greeted with a large curved screen, flanked by two additional monitors – one for instrument display and another for the lucky passenger to play with. And the heart beneath? The vehicle might house the robust four-motor powertrain found in the U8, churning out a whopping 1,180 hp – we’ll need to wait for a confirmation on that one though. As for how much this aerodynamic wonder might set you back? Roughly £89,000.
Spy shots of the U6
The name “YangWang” can be translated to “looking up” or “looking towards the future” in Chinese – quite a fitting choice, isn’t it? For a car that seems to be looking far into the future of automotive excellence, it’s a name that captures the essence perfectly. And if the powertrain indeed is the quad-motor setup from its bigger sibling the U8, the new U6 may try squaring up against the likes of Model S Plaid, Lucid Air Sapphire, Porsche Taycan Turbo S, and the latest addition to the electric hyper-sedan family – Lotus Emeya. Now that is exciting news.
