BYD's luxury off-road range-extender EV gets stretched
Shown in a distinctive two-tone black and gold paint finish and rolling on massive 23-inch monobloc-style forged alloy wheels, the Yangwang U8L is described as a 'full-size executive luxury SUV'.
It measures 5400mm long, 2049mm wide and 1921mm tall with a 3250mm wheelbase. For reference, the 'standard' U8 is 5319mm long, 2050mm wide and 1930mm tall, with a 3050mm wheelbase according to official specs.
Going by the supplied specifications, it appears that Yangwang has extended the wheelbase without really increasing the overall vehicle length, which is a little unusual. Part of that could be down to the fact the U8L doesn't mount a spare wheel on the tailgate like the regular U8.
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By comparison, the Range Rover Long Wheelbase measures 5252/2047/1870mm with a 3197mm wheelbase; while the Bentley Bentayga EWB is 5305/2010/1739mm with a 3175mm wheelbase. Only the Rolls-Royce Cullinan outdoes the U8L in the wheelbase dimension, measuring 5355/2000/1835mm with a 3295mm wheelbase.
BYD's premium arm doesn't detail much else about its new flagship SUV, other than the aforementioned new Obsidian Black over Sun Gold exterior finish, 24-carat gold badging and 23-inch forged alloys.
Yangwang hasn't revealed any images of the interior yet either, meaning we also don't know how that extra 200mm of wheelbase translates to more rear passenger room, nor whether the second row will get unique features typical of LWB luxury flagships like reclining captain's chairs or larger entertainment displays – though it's rumoured to offer a three-row layout.
While the powertrain hasn't been confirmed, it's understood the U8L will draw upon the U8's extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) drivetrain, which teams a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 49.05kWh LFP Blade battery and no less than four electric motors.
System outputs for the standard U8 are a whopping 880kW and 1280Nm, good for a 0-100km/h sprint of just 3.6 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 200km/h.
The U8's EV-only range is capped at 180km, although the U8 can travel 1000km between fuel stops courtesy of a 75-litre fuel tank – expect the U8L's claims to be a little lower than the standard model given the extra size.
The U8 supports 110kW DC fast charging, and can also power household appliances using its 6kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) capacity.
In standard form the U8 has a maximum wading depth of 1000mm, while the Master Edition ups that to 1400mm and features a snorkel.
Despite its 3460kg heft, Yangwang says that the U8 can remain afloat for up to 30 minutes in deep water, protecting occupants during river crossings or flash floods.
Inside, features include Nappa leather upholstery and six screens, including a 23.6-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.8-inch infotainment display and a 23.6-inch screen for the front passenger.
Each rear passenger also has access to an entertainment display. In addition to the screen-fest, the U8 comes equipped with a 70-inch head-up display and a 22-speaker Dynaudio sound system.
In addition to aforementioned rivals to legacy luxury brands, the Yangwang U8L could also have some serious competition in its own backyard.
Earlier this week the new Zeekr 9X was revealed at Auto Shanghai 2025, powered by a similarly complex 2.0-litre turbocharged extended-range hybrid system.
A 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 205kW of power features under the bonnet, mated with a 290kW front electric motor and a 370kW rear electric motor.
Zeekr hasn't released full specifications for the big luxury SUV, but has confirmed it'll have an electric range of more than 380km thanks to a 'Xiaoyao' battery from CATL.
The 9X has a 900V electrical system and 6C charging, and Zeekr claims it can be charged from 20 to 80 per cent in just nine minutes. It also has a claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of 'just three seconds'.
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Man of Many
7 hours ago
- Man of Many
BYD Shark 6 Continues to Climb List of Australia's Best-Selling Utes
The best-selling ute in Australia is the Ford Ranger with 32,241 sales across its 4×2 and 4×4 line-up through July 2025. It's closely followed by the Toyota HiLux (30,943) and Isuzu D-Max (16,416). However, a new player from the Chinese brand BYD is in town, whose plug-in hybrid Shark 6 ute has proven to be a sales magnate through July 2025, recording 11,657 sales. It's beaten the Mitsubishi Triton, Mazda BT-50, and Nissan Navara, but how does it stack up against its Chinese competition in the GWM Cannon? Let's look at the list of Australia's best-selling utes, according to VFACTS sales data. Best-Selling Utes in Australia at a Glance Our list includes the following highlights: Now you've read the highlights, let's check out the complete list. 2025 Ford Ranger PHEV Stormtrak | Image: Ford Australia 1. Ford Ranger, 32,241 sales Price: from AUD$37,130 to $90,690 before on-road costs. The ute market is as strong as ever, with a 1.0% sales increase through July 2025. Leading the charge is Australia's best-selling ute, the Ford Ranger, whose 4×4 sales might be down 13.8% on the year, but still strong enough to lead the segment. Its closest competitor, the Toyota HiLux, outsold the Ranger in July, but it still has some ways to make up the nearly 1,500 sales margin. Still, with a new HiLux on the way sometime in the next 16 months, it will be interesting to see how Ford responds beyond the launch of their plug-in hybrid models. The answer is likely Super Duty, with a surprisingly affordable price now confirmed for Australia. Below, we've included information about the top-spec V6 diesel variants. Power and torque are still something the HiLux can't compete with. Ford Ranger V6 Diesel key specifications: Engine : 3.0-litre single-turbo diesel V6 : 3.0-litre single-turbo diesel V6 Power / Torque : 184 kW @ 3250 rpm / 600 Nm @ 1750-2250 rpm : 184 kW @ 3250 rpm / 600 Nm @ 1750-2250 rpm Transmission : 10-speed automatic : 10-speed automatic Drivetrain : On-demand 4WD with 2H, 4A, 4H, 4L modes : On-demand 4WD with 2H, 4A, 4H, 4L modes Braked towing capacity: 3,500 kg 2024 Toyota HiLux | Image: Toyota Australia 2. Toyota HiLux, 30,943 sales Price: from AUD$27,730 to $75,310 before on-road costs. With strong sales in the month, the Toyota HiLux clawed back ground on the Ford Ranger. Fleet sales still determine a large portion of this market, and with mining being such a prolific purchaser of new utes, it's not surprising to see the HiLux at the top of the market, despite its age. We expect to see a new HiLux model arrive sometime next year. Still, this generation has been continually refined to include a GR Sport variant (the most potent option) and even a mild-hybrid 48V variant over the years. It's important to note here that the Toyota HiLux is the best-selling 4×2 ute (4,698 sales). With an entry price below AUD$30,000, it's nearly $10,000 cheaper than a base-model Ford Ranger, and is a favourite amongst trademen and women who aren't interested in off-roading and camping and simply want a cheap and practical ute. Toyota Hilux GR Sport key specifications: Engine : 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder : 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder Power / Torque : 165 kW / 550 Nm : 165 kW / 550 Nm Transmission : 6-speed automatic : 6-speed automatic Drivetrain : Part-time 4WD : Part-time 4WD Braked towing capacity: 3,500 kg 2025 Isuzu Ute D-Max X-Terrain | Image: Isuzu Ute 3. Isuzu D-Max, 16,416 sales Price: from AUD$32,700 to $78,900 before on-road costs. If we're talking about practical utes, the buck stops with the Isuzu D-Max. Recently facelifted, the ute hasn't changed much in the last decade. With one of the most reliable engines under its bonnet and a host of trick off-road hardware, it's a favourite of adventurers. Like the HiLux, the D-Max isn't filled with large touch-screen infotainment screens. The brand's customers are more focused on the hardware, specifically the 4JJ3-TCX 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that produces a modest 140 kW of power and 450 Nm torque, but is known to last hundreds of thousands of kilometres. Still, without a hybrid option, the brand is concerned about the New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES), which could cost them thousands if their vehicles don't adhere to strict emissions regulations. The brand hopes an all-electric D-Max, confirmed for Australia, will fix the NVES issue, but it will have to contend with slower-than-expected EV sales. Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain key specifications: Engine : 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder : 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder Power / Torque : 140 kW / 450 Nm : 140 kW / 450 Nm Transmission : 6-speed automatic : 6-speed automatic Drivetrain : Switchable 4WD with rear diff-lock : Switchable 4WD with rear diff-lock Braked towing capacity: 3,500 kg BYD Shark 6 | Image: BYD 4. BYD Shark 6, 11,657 sales Price: from AUD$57,900 before on-road costs. The plug-in hybrid Shark 6 ute has been a sales miracle for Chinese brand BYD. Of course, it had to be, as the brand has spent obscene amounts of money advertising the vehicle to true-blue Australians through sponsorship of various sporting fixtures and events. However, even with a near-impossible price tag, no one could have expected the average punter to be so willing to pick up the keys to a hybrid Chinese ute that no one had ever heard of. We had to drive one, and after only a few hours behind the wheel at the vehicle's launch, we were very impressed. It's not a hard-working ute built for the bush, but for most buyers, it's better because of it. The hybrid powertrain is superior to any common-rail diesel on the market, the ride comfort is top-notch because it doesn't have a 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity, and the NVH is SUV-like. With a successful marketing roll-out and a good product, sales followed. BYD has sold 11,657 Shark 6s this year, which isn't due to a spike in deliveries. The brand has sold more than 1,000 Shark 6s monthly since the vehicle landed on our shores. Even with a tougher month in July, where the Mitsubishi Triton beat it, it still managed 1,233 sales, a 7.1% increase on the prior month. The scary thing for mainstream ute brands is that the BYD Shark 6 is the first in a long line of cut-price, tech-filled, practical, and capable Chinese-made utes. Wait until the average punter gets behind the wheel of the updated GWM Cannon and LDV Terron 9. BYD Shark 6 key specifications: Engine : 1.5-litre turbo-petrol with dual electric motors : 1.5-litre turbo-petrol with dual electric motors Combined output : 321 kW / 650 Nm (approx.) : 321 kW / 650 Nm (approx.) Transmission : Electrified AWD (DMO platform) : Electrified AWD (DMO platform) Drivetrain : Full-time AWD : Full-time AWD Braked towing capacity: 2,500 kg 2025 Mitsubishi Triton | Image: Mitsubishi Australia 5. Mitsubishi Triton, 10,768 sales Price: from AUD$30,740 to $65,290 before on-road costs. It's been a year of ups and downs for the Mitsubishi Triton. The brand introduced the updated model with a price rise and a poorly-tuned driver monitoring system, but has since introduced an update to the latter and a host of cut-price mid-tier model grades that have helped boost sales. By the numbers, the 4×4 variant sales increased by 26.3% in July 2025 as EOFY deals rolled through. Still, we'd expect the Triton to continue to sell at an increasingly furious rate as the brand realises the need to move utes and help their bottom line. Having spent time behind the wheel of most 4×4 Triton model grades, including the new Mitsubishi Triton GLX-R, the ute is a compelling alternative to outdated dual-cab utes such as the Toyota HiLux and Nissan Navara. Still, unless you can find one for a competitive price, the pragmatic nature of the Triton only helps it so much, and the Ford Ranger represents the best balance of tech and practicality. Mitsubishi Triton GSR key specifications: Engine : 2.4-litre twin-turbo diesel four-cylinder : 2.4-litre twin-turbo diesel four-cylinder Power / Torque : 150 kW / 470 Nm : 150 kW / 470 Nm Transmission : 6-speed automatic : 6-speed automatic Drivetrain : Super Select II 4WD : Super Select II 4WD Braked towing capacity: 3,500 kg 2025 Mazda BT-50 | Image: Supplied / Mazda 6. Mazda BT-50, 8,976 sales Price: from AUD$35,520 to $74,095 before on-road costs. With an updated model line-up, the Mazda BT-50 has stabilised its sales in Australia, landing it at number six on the list of best-selling utes. Based on the same platform as the Isuzu D-Max, the BT-50 is underpinned by an excellent chassis and powertrain combination. However, it is let down on the pricing front, where it is simply too expensive compared to the all-around better Ford Ranger. Still, we'd argue this is Australia's best-looking dual-cab, especially the facelifted model. Mazda BT-50 SP key specifications: Engine : 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder : 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder Power / Torque : 140 kW / 450 Nm : 140 kW / 450 Nm Transmission : 6-speed automatic : 6-speed automatic Drivetrain : Part-time 4WD (rear diff-lock) : Part-time 4WD (rear diff-lock) Braked towing capacity: 3,500 kg 2025 Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series | Image: Supplied / Toyota 7. Toyota LandCruiser PU/CC, 6,182 sales Price: from AUD$75,600 to $87,600 before on-road costs. Even with the V8 diesel gone, the cult-status LandCruiser 70 Series still manages to rack up impressive sales figures. The month of July 2025 was kind to the farmtruck, where it managed 916 sales, but the year so far paints a different picture. Sales for the year are down 13.2%, which is worrying news considering the brand only recently updated the near century-old platform to meet safety requirements. Still, we wouldn't expect the 70 Series to be going anywhere anytime soon, considering the cash cow it is for Toyota. Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series GX key specifications: Engine : 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder : 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder Power / Torque : 150 kW / 500 Nm : 150 kW / 500 Nm Transmission : 6-speed automatic : 6-speed automatic Drivetrain : Part-time 4WD with low-range : Part-time 4WD with low-range Braked towing capacity: 3,500 kg 2025 Nissan Navara | Image: Supplied / Nissan 8. Nissan Navara, 5,103 sales Price: from AUD$34,306 to $71,643 before on-road costs. One of the oldest dual-cab utes on the market, the Nissan Navara's sales continue to cool, decreasing 16.9% in July and 15.3% on the year so far. We wouldn't expect that to change anytime soon, or at least until the brand decides it's time to update the aging ute to keep it in line with customer expectations in 2025. That said, if you're in the market for an off-road-focused dual-cab, the Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior is one of the best. Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior key specifications: Engine : 2.3-litre twin-turbo diesel four-cylinder : 2.3-litre twin-turbo diesel four-cylinder Power / Torque : 140 kW / 450 Nm : 140 kW / 450 Nm Transmission : 7-speed automatic (6-speed manual optional) : 7-speed automatic (6-speed manual optional) Drivetrain : Premcar-tuned 4WD with rear diff-lock : Premcar-tuned 4WD with rear diff-lock Braked towing capacity: 3,500 kg 2025 GWM Cannon | Image: Supplied / GWM 9. GWM Cannon, 3,614 sales Price: from AUD$33,990 to $47,990 before on-road costs. The GWM Cannon is quickly rising on the list as one of the best-selling utes in Australia. Having recently spent a week behind the wheel of this $43,490 drive-away Chinese ute, it's easy to see why. It's hard to put a price on the brand history of vehicles like the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, and we don't think the GWM Cannon is a threat to those specific brands (yet). However, if you're in the market for a dual-cab ute and you're shopping for a Mazda BT-50, Nissan Navara, or similar, we wouldn't be surprised to see those buyers choose to save $10,000-15,000 because the Cannon is simply better. The lane-keep assist is awful, and the throttle pedal needs serious work, but everything else about this ute is on par with or better than the mainstay options in this segment. If anything, the Cannon should be a wake-up call to other dual-cab utes in Australia. GWM Cannon XSR key specifications: Engine : 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder : 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder Power / Torque : 135 kW / 480 Nm : 135 kW / 480 Nm Transmission : 9-speed automatic : 9-speed automatic Drivetrain : Switchable 4WD with front & rear diff-locks : Switchable 4WD with front & rear diff-locks Braked towing capacity: 3,500 kg 2025 Volkswagen Amarok | Image: Supplied / Volkswagen 10. Volkswagen Amarok, 3,505 sales Price: from AUD$55,490 to $82,990 before on-road costs. Rounding out the list of top-selling utes in Australia is the Volkswagen Amarok, which had 3,505 sales through July 2025. It's fair to say that the Amarok's sales have been slower than expected, but with a Walkinshaw variant on the way, expect hype to get back behind the ute. Previously based on a bespoke platform, the new generation Amarok is built on the same platform as the top-selling Ford Ranger. That makes sense to us, but maybe not to the consumer. What was previously a statement-making alternative to the mainstream utes (with a powerful V6 engine) is now just another dual-cab ute that chooses to wear R.M. Williams boots instead of Steel Blue. Still, this is an excellent ute, and the turbo-petrol engine option does make it interesting for those who want to spend more time on the tarmac than off it. Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana TDI600 key specifications: Engine : 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 : 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 Power / Torque : 184 kW / 600 Nm : 184 kW / 600 Nm Transmission : 10-speed automatic : 10-speed automatic Drivetrain : Full-time 4Motion AWD : Full-time 4Motion AWD Braked towing capacity: 3,500 kg Best-Selling American Pick-Ups in Australia Sales of American pick-ups in Australia have cooled off since the government cleared out the tax loopholes, but that hasn't stopped brands like Ford, Ram, Chevrolet, and even Toyota from reaping the rewards of offering locally converted RHD trucks. Here's a quick look at the best-selling American pick-up trucks in Australia, according to VFACTS: RAM 1500 – 1,656 YTD – 1,656 YTD Chevrolet Silverado – 1,321 YTD – 1,321 YTD Chevrolet Silverado HD – 778 YTD – 778 YTD Ford F-150 – 545 YTD – 545 YTD Toyota Tundra – 490 YTD – 490 YTD RAM 2500 – 320 YTD – 320 YTD RAM 3500 – 7 YTD While it's tough to draw conclusions from these figures alone, the trend towards even larger full-size American pick-up trucks is something to note. Sales for the lighter-duty version of each marque (1500, Silverado) are down on the year so far, with -15.5%% and -4.6%, respectively. Heavy-duty sales for the Silverado HD were up 29.8% in July 2025.
7NEWS
10 hours ago
- 7NEWS
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