You might think we’ve lost our minds with this article’s headline, but yes, open your eyes because it’s real: a car that can float on water, sail up to 3 km/h, and stay safe for 30 minutes. This is the Yangwang U8, the luxury SUV that BYD unveiled at the E-Journey event, and it has left automotive technology experts in China speechless. This model not only pushes the limits of electric design but also introduces life-saving features in case of emergency. All this, wrapped in a luxury body with 1,200 horsepower and cutting-edge technology.
The scene feels like science fiction: the car goes down a slope, enters a river smoothly, and instead of breaking down like any other vehicle, it floats and moves forward naturally. It’s not a concept. It’s not an experiment. It’s a real production vehicle! And it may well be the beginning of a new generation of smart, all-terrain SUVs.
Technology that challenges our logic
The Yangwang U8 is equipped with IP67 protection for the entire vehicle and IP68 for critical components (to ensure the security of those parts), which allows it to resist water ingress for a certain amount of time without affecting its performance. This is not a marketing trick: the car can float for 30 minutes and navigate at up to 3 km/h! That might not sound like much, but think about the fact that any other vehicle wouldn’t last even 20 seconds in the water…
How does it do it?
The driver activates the “water crossing mode” from the central screen. Then the car analyses the slope, water depth, and other factors through built-in sensors. If all conditions are favourable, it enters emergency floatation mode. At that point, the suspension rises, the windows seal, the A/C switches to recirculation, and even the sunroof opens as an emergency exit.
Note!! This vehicle is designed to survive extreme conditions, not to cross rivers for fun. In fact, BYD clarifies that this is a safety feature, not a recreational one, and recommends getting the car checked after using it.
A technological monster on wheels
The Yangwang U8 doesn’t just float. It’s also a beast on the road. We know it’s a luxury SUV, but the Premium Edition comes with the e⁴ platform, with four independent electric motors (the first of its kind in the world!!). The car can spin on its own axis (tank turns), stay stable even if one tire blows out, and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds. It offers 1,200 horsepower and up to 1,000 km of range thanks to its plug-in hybrid system.
Fast charging and external power
BYD’s SUV also features 110 kW fast charging, able to take the battery from 30% to 80% in just 18 minutes, watch out, Tesla!
It can also power electric tools or home appliances for over 24 hours thanks to its 6 kW Vehicle to Load (VTL) system.
Luxury interior and digital power
Inside, the U8 spares no detail full of sumptuousness: Nappa leather, curved OLED displays, wood finishes, and a Dynaudio sound system with 22 speakers. All of this is powered by a NVIDIA-based architecture that delivers over 500 TOPS of computing power for advanced assisted driving functions.
Is this the future of SUVs?
The Yangwang U8 might sound like pure madness, but the truth is, this vehicle will likely mark a turning point. Its mix of power, smart technology, and survival capabilities gives it an edge over its competitors.
Are we ready to live through this automotive revolution?
