BYD YangWang U8L announced in Shanghai

One of the more exciting premieres of the Auto Shanghai show was a new modification of the YangWang U8 – a stretched U8L model with new trim all around and supercar amounts of power. It’s slated to go on sale later this year.

As you may remember, the original YangWang U8 is quite a bulky SUV with a body length of 5,319 mm (207.7 inches). The newcomer is even more intimidating with 5,400 mm (211 inches) from bumper to bumper and a wheelbase of 3,250 mm (127 inches). That’s 200 mm (7.8 inches) of extra wheelbase length compared to the standard version.

Buyers will be choosing from just two exterior colors this time around, Obsidian Black and Sun Gold. If 23-inch forged wheels included as standard isn’t premium enough for you, consider for a moment that the BYD badges at the front and the rear end are made from genuine 24-carat gold. The tailgate consists of two sections, and the lower drop-down section provides a nice picnic seat with its rated load of 200 kilograms (440 pounds).

The interior houses three rows of seats arranged two per row. That’s an upgrade from the stock U8 with its two rows and five seats. If vanity is what you’re after, you can order a golden BYD emblem for the steering wheel hub as well.

The powertrain stays the same as before, but it’s not a bad thing. A quartet of e-motors send 1,197 PS (1,181 hp / 880 kW) and 1,280 Nm (944 lb-ft) of torque to the wheels, while an internal combustion engine supplies them with more power. Like the regular U8, the U8L supports Wade Mode and Tank Turn features. Triple LiDARs help its self-driving package – called God’s Eye A – better find it way on the road and beyond.