Teased: BYD Yangwang U8L – Ultra-luxe REEV 4x4 With Up To 7 Seats?

First of two images released showing what is speculatively being called the Yangwang U8L. (Image: CarNewsChina).

Chinese NEV-making giants BYD are set to debut a new extended length iteration of its Yangwang U8. Teased earlier this week through the release of two main images is what is speculatively being reported to be called the BYD Yangwang U8L.

Set to publicly debut later this week during Auto Shanghai 2025, details of this mammoth luxury off-roader are scant for the moment, but we’ve pieced together as much information from various online sources as best as we could.

Firstly, the ‘L’ part in its name aptly denotes the extended-length body, with sources indicating it to be similar in size to the Land Rover Defender 130. This, in turn ought to provide greater legroom in the second row, and possibly the option for a third row of seats too.

The strecthed body has led many to speculate that the Yangwang U8L could debut with up to three rows of seats aboard. For perspective, sources online report that this Chinese mammoth is similar in size as the Land Rover Defender 130.

Visually, we can see the Yangwang U8L ditch the external tailgate-mounted spare tyre as seen in the Yangwang U8. Notable here too are the octagonal ‘shield’ design for the equally massive rolling stock – at least 21- or 22-inch being our best guesses here.

Besides that, the stretched body form also sees the Yangwang U8L sport a more refined and smoothened aesthetics behind each wheel arch – the standard Yangwang U8 sported a more rugged and tough look here instead.

Officially, no details have been released just yet, but the Yangwang U8L is expected to offer the option of either six or seven seats, the former boasting second-row captain seats to fittingly reflect the car’s flagship status.

Standard Yangwang U8 model pictured. Besides a highly charged REEV powertrain package with quad e-motors, the stretched Yangwang U8L is also expected to ride on the same DiSus-P Hydraulic Body Contro Suspension developed by parents BYD.

Presumably, the mechanicals are also likely to have been left unchanged. Expect the same quad e-motor setup retained to deliver 1,196 PS and 1,280 NM, a 49.05 kWh Blade LFP battery pack, as well as a 2.0 litre 4-cyl turbo petrol combustion (ICE) mill serving as a generator.

In the standard U8 model, BYD’s Yangwang arm touts an electric-only range of up to 180 KM plus a combined total range of 1,000 KM, though keep in mind these figures are based on the infamously lenient CLTC standards - expect lower figures the presumably heavier SUV.

Expect more details to surface later this week as the Yangwang U8L officially debuts. (Note: standard Yangwang U8 model pictured above).

Besides that, the Yangwang U8L is also widely presumed to continue riding on the trick BYD DiSus-P Hydraulic Body Control suspension. As a refresher, this tech enables abilities such as ‘tank turn’, driving on three tyres in the event of a blowout, as well as floating on water.

We’ll have more once official details are released later this week from the model’s official debut at Auto Shanghai 2025 as noted prior. In the meantime, what do you folks think of BYD’s new uber-luxe and electrified 4x4 SUV then? Hit the comments below…