BYD’s luxury sub-brand, Yangwang, has officially kicked off presales for its latest full-size EREV SUV: the U8L Dingshi Edition. This colossal SUV, with an estimated price of 1,300,000 yuan or about $181,130 USD, clearly aims to challenge ultra-luxury vehicles like the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. For that money, you get a significant vehicle boasting a 5.4-meter body, a distinctive 24K gold-plated emblem, and a luxurious six-seat cabin with a 2+2+2 layout. But the real showstopper? A beastly four-motor powertrain making a staggering 880 kW or 1,180 horsepower, pushing the U8L from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 3.6 seconds.
What is Yangwang?
Yangwang, launched by BYD in January 2023, is the Chinese automotive giant’s foray into the ultra-luxury segment. Its debut vehicle, the Yangwang U8, a range-extended SUV, already made waves with a starting price of 1,089,000 yuan ($151,740 USD). The U8L Dingshi Edition builds on that foundation, offering an even larger, more opulent experience. The brand’s current lineup also includes the high-performance Yangwang U7. Despite BYD’s overall dominance, Yangwang has faced some headwinds in China, delivering only 1,003 vehicles in the first half of 2025, a notable drop from the previous year. However, BYD is determined to boost its luxury division, with plans for international expansion and a broadened model range, as highlighted by the U8L’s presale launch.
U8L Dingshi Edition: An Inside Look
From the outside, the U8L Dingshi Edition maintains the Yangwang U8’s bold and recognizable design language, featuring that striking front grille and integrated headlights. What sets the “L” apart, however, is its sheer size: it’s 372 mm longer than the standard U8, with a wheelbase stretched by 200 mm. Its split tailgate, a clear nod to premium SUVs like the Range Rover and Rolls-Royce Cullinan, hints at its luxury aspirations. You will also notice the exclusive 24K gold-plated emblem on the front, replacing the standard U8’s glass badge, adding another layer of bling. Available in sophisticated black or dazzling gold, this SUV rolls on massive 23-inch rims. Measuring 5400/2049/1921 mm with a 3,250 mm wheelbase, the Yangwang U8L firmly plants itself in the company of large American SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade.
Step inside, and the U8L Dingshi Edition’s three-row cabin with its 2+2+2 layout makes a strong statement. The cockpit is a tech marvel, featuring a 23.6-inch instrument cluster, a 12.8-inch portrait-oriented driver’s touchscreen, and a matching 23.6-inch monitor for the front passenger. Both the first and second-row seats offer heated, ventilated, and 14-point massage functions. Even the armrests are heated, showing a meticulous attention to comfort. For added privacy and luxury, the second-row windows automatically dim, and passengers in the back can enjoy a large ceiling-mounted screen. This is an interior that redefines “first-class” on wheels.
Under the skin, the Yangwang U8L is equally impressive. It packs the DiPilot 600 system, complete with three LiDAR sensors and a staggering 600 TOPS of computing power. This enables advanced autonomous driving features like Navigate On Autopilot (NOA) for both urban and highway environments, plus sophisticated parking assistance. The ride is managed by a Disus-P hydraulic suspension system, ensuring both comfort and control, while carbon-ceramic brakes provide serious stopping power for this substantial machine. The U8L is a range extender electric vehicle (EREV), meaning it pairs a 2.0-liter turbocharged internal combustion engine with its four electric motors. These motors power each wheel, providing a combined output of 880 kW (1,180 hp) and a peak torque of 1,280 Nm. This setup allows for rapid acceleration, hitting 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds, and offers a mixed range of 1,000 km, making long journeys a breeze.
Pricing and Market Position
The Yangwang U8L Dingshi Edition is available for presale at 1,300,000 yuan ($181,130 USD). If you’re quick, you can reserve one for 20,000 yuan ($2,790 USD). Additionally, current Yangwang owners get a generous 80,000 yuan ($11,150 USD) trade-in bonus. It’s worth noting that the U8L is priced about 17% higher than its smaller sibling, the standard U8. With this model, Yangwang is clearly not targeting domestic competitors. Instead, it’s setting its sights squarely on established luxury SUV players from legacy brands. This is a bold move by BYD to solidify Yangwang’s place in the global luxury market, showcasing what Chinese engineering and design can achieve at the highest echelons of automotive excellence. The U8L Dingshi Edition is more than just an SUV; it’s a statement, a rolling testament to power, luxury, and cutting-edge technology that promises to challenge the very best the world has to offer.
