Chinese SUV Yangwang U8L in Long version: luxury interior and price $153,000

The hybrid SUV Yangwang U8 by BYD — is one of the most expensive Chinese cars available for sale. At launch in 2023, it cost 1.1 million yuan, which is $153,000! Over the past couple of years, the price hasn't changed, but now the lineup has been supplemented with an even more luxurious version called Yangwang U8L. Its first show was held in April at the auto show in Shanghai, but only now has the interior been unveiled.

The wheelbase of the L-version is stretched by 200 mm (up to 3250 mm), the rear overhang is also enlarged, but the overall length has increased by only 81 mm (to 5400 mm). This is because the spare wheel carrier disappeared from the back, and this was done for a reason: instead of the hinged trunk door, the U8L version has a drop-down tailgate and an upper lifting part with glass. The width did not change (2049 mm), and the height is 9 mm less (now 1921 mm).

Other external features of the L-version — less massive wheel arch extensions painted in body color (for the base model they are black) and original 23-inch wheels with static hub caps. The golden color of the body is also prepared specifically for the elongated variant, and an external decor of 24-carat gold can be ordered separately (this was the exact car displayed in Shanghai).

The cabin has three rows of seats instead of two in the standard model. The second row features two separate seats with electric adjustment, heating, ventilation, massage functions, and footrests. Folding tables are installed on the backside of the front seats, and there's a television on the ceiling. The panoramic roof is sectional, and additional ventilation deflectors are mounted on the ceiling slopes.

The sequential hybrid system remains standard. The turbo four-cylinder 2.0 (272 hp) operates only in generator mode, while the e4 all-wheel drive has 1197 hp and 1280 Nm. The curb weight of the extended SUV is 3595 kg (plus 135 kg to the base model), and the total weight exceeded four tons: now 4210 kg (plus 225 kg)! The track width increased by 5 mm at the front and by 12 mm at the rear.

The Yangwang U8L is expected to go on sale in a few months. The most intriguing part — the price — has not been announced yet.