BYD has revealed its latest fully-electric model at this year’s Chengdu Auto Show, the Da Han. It will become a flagship model for the manufacturer within the saloon segment, although for now, it’s only on sale in China. Battery range stands at an impressive 1,008 kilometres (626 miles) when specified with a 102kWh battery pack, whilst it’ll also support BYD’s Flash Charging technology – allowing it to recharge from 10 to 70% in only five minutes, when hooked up to one of BYD’s megawatt-capable public chargers.
BYD’s latest EV looks to take on flagship Mercedes and BMW products
The Da Han sits above BYD’s existing Han and Han L electric saloons, sat on a longer wheelbase along with air suspension and rear-wheel steering to maintain a tight turning circle. Its length will make it a direct rival to electric executive saloons, such as the Mercedes-Benz EQS and BMW i7. With its segment-leading 1,000 kilometre range in certain specifications, it could also draw buyers away from petrol-powered alternatives.
Power comes from either a single rear motor producing 496 horsepower, or a dual-motor 764 horsepower setup in the all-wheel-drive variants, which offers a sports car-like 0-100 kmh time of 3.8 seconds.
In China, prices for the Da Han will begin at RMB 249,900 (equivalent to $37,000 USD), with prices rising to RMB 299,900 (equivalent to $44,600 USD) for the top-specification, all-wheel-drive model. It’s likely to be a strong seller here, with the original BYD Han regularly featuring as one of the best-selling EVs in the country.
No European launch has been confirmed, and demand for long-wheelbase saloons is comparatively weak compared to China. If it arrives, we can expect pricing to climb above Chinese levels, although the Da Han could still undercut rivals such as the BMW i7, while offering considerably more range.
