Yangwang today made its U8 officially available in China, with a starting price of RMB 1.098 million as in pre-sale.

(Image credit: Yangwang)

Yangwang, the premium brand of (OTCMKTS: BYDDY), today officially launched its first production vehicle, the U8, in China, with a starting price of RMB 1.098 million ($150,600) as in pre-sale, and deliveries set to begin in October.

The Yangwang U8 measures 5,319 mm in length, 2,050 mm in width and 1,930 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,050 mm.

The model's quad-motor generates a maximum power of 880 kW, or 1,200 horsepower, and accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 3.6 seconds.

Its battery pack of 49.05 kWh gives the CLTC a pure electric range of 180 kilometers, and the CLTC has a combined range of 1,000 kilometers on a full tank of gas and full power.

BYD officially unveiled the Yangwang brand on January 5 and gave a debut of the Yangwang U8 and Yangwang U9, both of which will be equipped with e⁴ technology.

e⁴ is China's first mass-produced quad-motor independent drive technology platform, capable of precisely controlling the vehicle's four-wheel dynamics thanks to quad-motor independent vector control technology, BYD said.

Yangwang began pre-sales of the U8 on April 18, the first day of the Shanghai auto show, with a pre-sale price of RMB 1.098 million.

Yangwang said at the time that the car will be offered in two versions -- the Premium Edition and the Off-road Master Edition. Their pre-sale prices are the same, with the difference being that the former is more richly equipped, while the latter has more room for modification.

The model's Premium Edition offers 10 driving modes, five functions including tank turn, and support for floating. The Off-road Master Edition additionally supports custom off-road modes.

Yangwang did not announce the pricing of the Off-road Master Edition today.

Yangwang will build a direct sales channel, with more than 90 stores by the end of this year, covering more than 40 cities in China, it said.

($1 = RMB 7.2914)

BYD officially launches Yangwang brand, debuts hardcore off-road SUV U8 and supercar U9