Porsche, Subaru…and BYD?
Only two automakers have stuck to the flat or boxer layout over the years. That would be Porsche and Subaru, and we don’t see anyone else joining them soon. But here comes Chinese automaker BYD, seemingly out of nowhere, making one.
It’s a bit of a surprise, given that BYD already has its own family of engines for its plug-in hybrids, so developing a boxer engine seems an odd decision. Why change something that already works? Turns out, there’s a logical reason for it.
Not for Performance
We’ll make it clear that BYD isn’t chasing Subaru or Porsche in the performance car market. Instead, BYD is doing it for packaging reasons. It’s a 2.0-liter unit that’s also turbocharged for a little more oomph. The thing is, it actually doesn’t motivate the vehicle. The engine serves as a generator, keeping the batteries charged to power four electric motors – a powertrain setup that’s been gaining popularity amid declining EV sales.
While we say it’s not purely for performance, the system still produces heaps of power. We’re talking 1,287 hp and 1,239 lb-ft of torque from the four electric motors. If we didn’t tell you it was a BYD, those specs wouldn’t look out of place in a Lucid or a Rivian.
BYD
What Car is it Attached To?
If you live in China, you can experience BYD’s boxer engine in the Yangwang U7. Translated from Mandarin, Yangwang means “to look up” or “admire,” and the U7 is the brand’s only sedan. Yes, it’s the same company that made the U9 EV supercar that we saw a few months back. As for the U7, it’s up against models like the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, but it’s more a match for the Lucid Air.
Why put all this tech in a sedan as the world keeps buying more crossovers? Well, China is still a very strong market for the traditional four-door, although the U7’s design is anything but. The U7’s low-slung appearance is thanks to its boxer engine, which allows a hood set low.
BYD
With nearly 1,300 hp to play with, the U7 can hit 62 mph in 2.9 seconds, which is a hugely impressive result for a car that’s even heavier than a Chevy Suburban. For those curious, it tips the scales at 6,823 lbs, making it one of the heaviest production sedans in the world. Oh, and it can do over 600 miles with a full charge and a full tank of gas, and can run on battery power for about 120 miles.
Say you live in China and you’re rich and curious about it, the U7 will set you back 628,000 to 708,000 yuan. At current conversion rates, that’s about $88,000 to $100,000.
BYD
