1,008 kilometers in a BYD sedan. That’s the number BYD wants everyone talking about before the Da Han even reaches the Chengdu Auto Show.
BYD (HKEX: 1211) said Thursday that its Dynasty 9-series flagship sedan, called Da Han, Great Han, or Grand Han depending on translation, will debut at the Chengdu Auto Show in August. For BYD, this isn’t just another Han variant with a longer badge. It sits above the current Han and gives the Dynasty line a proper D-segment sedan for the first time.
The announcement came in Xinjiang, where BYD marked delivery of the 10,000th Da Tang EV, its flagship SUV. That was no accident. BYD is pairing the Da Tang SUV and Da Han sedan as its new Dynasty flagships, the kind of cars meant to pull buyers away from German luxury sedans and large Chinese EVs with far richer cabins than BYD used to offer.
Lu Tian, general manager of sales for BYD’s Dynasty lineup, said the Da Han combines D+ segment proportions with a 1,008-kilometer range, describing it as what a Dynasty 9-series flagship sedan should be. The short version: big body, big battery, big expectations.
BYD says the Da Han is meant to be enjoyable to drive and practical to use. The car measures more than 5.2 meters long and has a wheelbase of more than 3.1 meters. That puts it deep into chauffeur-friendly sedan territory, closer in footprint to cars such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class than to the current Han. For more background on the model’s positioning, see our earlier look at the Great Han official images and D-class sedan details.
BYD Da Han specs point to a serious premium EV sedan
Regulatory filings released June 10 filled in the hard numbers. The Da Han measures 5,256 mm long, 1,999 mm wide and 1,510 mm tall, with a 3,130 mm wheelbase. BYD filed 3 versions: 2 BEV variants and 1 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle variant.
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Da Han BEV range | 1,008 km | BYD’s teaser figure |
| Length | 5,256 mm | More than 5.2 meters |
| Width | 1,999 mm | Nearly 2 meters wide |
| Height | 1,510 mm | Sedan body |
| Wheelbase | 3,130 mm | More than 3.1 meters |
| AWD BEV output | 570 kW, 764 hp | Dual-motor peak output |
| Top speed | 270 km/h | AWD BEV version |
The all-wheel-drive BEV uses a dual-motor setup rated at 570 kW, or 764 hp. For scale, that’s comfortably beyond a Tesla Model 3 Performance and in the same conversation as serious German performance EVs. The 270 km/h top speed is another hint that BYD doesn’t want this car judged as a cheap long-range cruiser.
Blade Battery tech gives BYD a real cost advantage
All 3 Da Han versions use BYD’s Blade batteries with lithium iron phosphate chemistry. These packs are expected to be BYD’s second-generation Blade batteries, the ones tied to the company’s ultra-fast flash charging push. LFP chemistry usually means lower cost, long cycle life and less drama around nickel and cobalt supply. BYD also builds the battery itself, which is still one of its biggest weapons against brands that buy cells outside.
The big question is real-world range. A 1,008-kilometer rated figure will make headlines, but Chinese CLTC numbers can flatter highway use. Buyers who run at expressway speeds with air conditioning on should expect less. Still, even a healthy discount from that figure leaves a very long-legged sedan. Our earlier piece on the BYD Da Han battery pack and S-Class target explains why the pack size matters here.
Chengdu Auto Show timing is smart for BYD
The 29th Chengdu Auto Show runs August 21 to 30 in Chengdu, Sichuan province. It’s one of China’s 5 major A-class auto shows and drew nearly 120 brands last year. For a car like the Da Han, Chengdu is a good stage: wealthy southwest China buyers, plenty of luxury-brand foot traffic, and a market that already understands high-end Chinese NEVs.
The Da Tang SUV gives us the pricing clue. Launched June 17, the D-segment flagship SUV starts at 239,900 yuan ($35,330) and tops out at 309,900 yuan. It uses the second-generation Blade Battery and offers up to 950 kilometers of BEV range, with BYD calling it the world’s longest-range full-size SUV. The sedan should sit in the same premium lane, though final pricing will decide whether it’s a bargain or just another expensive BYD. For the earlier market angle, see our coverage of BYD’s Great Han move into premium sedans.
Should you buy the BYD Da Han or wait?
If you’re in China and shopping for a large electric sedan, wait for the Chengdu debut before signing anything in this class. The Da Han has the size, battery story and motor output to make older luxury EVs look a bit thin, especially if BYD prices it close to the Da Tang.
Outside China, patience makes more sense. Charging compatibility, dealer service, parts supply and resale values still vary heavily by country for Chinese brands. The Da Han looks like one of BYD’s most serious premium cars yet, but buyers abroad should judge the local ownership setup as hard as the spec sheet. A 1,008-kilometer number is nice. A nearby service center matters more when something breaks.
($1 = 6.7906 yuan)
