Joining the ultra-luxurious Yangwang U8 SUV and U9 hypercar, a new sedan joins BYD’s halo range in the form of the 2026 Yangwang U7.
Featuring a slippery and ultra-modern form factor, the front styling is reminiscent of the Yangwang U9 coupe, but instead takes the form of an ultra sleek sedan. It is quite large too, with a Statesman-esque 5265mm length, 1998mm width, standing 1517mm tall, and riding on a long 3160mm wheelbase. The car boasts a scarcely believable drag coefficient of 0.195Cd. It’s the spec sheet that will make your jaw hit the desk, however.
Two configurations are on offer; a pure electric model with up to 960kW (1300hp), yielding a blistering 0-100km/h sprint in 2.9 seconds. Four electric motors give the U7 the same crab walk capability as the U8 and U9. It has a 135.5kWh battery pack with a CLTC range of 720km.
Most interestingly of all, there is a plug-in hybrid variant with a 2.0-litre, turbocharged flat-four – a layout traditionally reserved for Porsche and Subaru. This variant generates 200kW, for a combined system output of 1000kW. This model can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.1 seconds (we’re not sure why it is slower with more power), and has an electric range of 200km (CLTC) thanks to a 52.4kWh battery pack.
Most impressive is the brand’s ‘DiSus-Z’ suspension system, which can hop over obstacles, generate negative body roll (lean into corners) and raise one side of the car to optimise it for a side-impact. Suspension is primed via electric motors which replace dampers, using the ‘God’s Eye’ LIDAR system to look for potholes and bumps ahead. Like a Citroen DS, the car can drive on three wheels in the event of a blowout or flat tyre.
The Yangwang brand is tipped to launch in Australia this year, under BYD’s umbrella, but the U7 is not yet confirmed. It appears to be the most technically sophisticated car yet and shows the staggering progress of the Chinese car industry. Japanese companies such as Toyota, Mazda and Honda are pooling some development to stay ahead of the curve.
Check out the cool video below showing Tai Chi , jugglers and Kung Fu masters on the roof of the car to show its suspension finesse.
