English 
Spanish 
4 min read
0 comments
Watch the incredible video where BYD’s electric SUV defies expectations by driving on water, floating and getting out without a hitch! See how this innovative technology could change the automotive market.
When Chinese manufacturer YangWang introduced the U8 SUV, the BYD Electric SUV, last year, one of the most impressive features was its ability to briefly float on water. The proposal is that, if the driver finds himself in flooded areas, the U8 can be used to return to safety on dry ground.
Unlike other automakers that also promote vehicles with similar abilities, yangwang decided to prove his allegations in a practical way, with a public demonstration.
n a recent video released by DiscoverChinaAuto, the SUV is seen entering deep water and literally transforming into a temporary “boat.” Watch the video at the end of the article.
- Goodbye, combustion cars? Discover the 5 cheapest hybrid cars in Brazil: economy and technology at your fingertips!
- New electric bike surprises with adjustable torque for any trail and removable 800 Wh battery, guaranteeing up to 250 km per charge
- Is driving electric cars in floods DANGEROUS? Find out the whole truth
- With a COLOSSAL investment of R$9,5 BILLION, Stellantis acquires 20% of Leapmotor and can now produce, sell and export electric cars to Europe and the USA!
How the BYD U8 electric SUV floats
BYD's YangWang U8 electric SUV is designed to withstand impressive depths. For this demonstration, the company prepared a giant pool, with a steel ramp to make it easier for the SUV to enter.
Once the U8 reaches a considerable depth, it begins to float due to its robust design and weight distribution that favors this. feature. This vehicle is equipped with a four-cylinder internal combustion engine that works as a range extender for its four-motor, 1.180-horsepower electric powertrain.
Thanks to the weight of the engine at the front, the “nose” of the U8 sinks slightly, maintaining balance with the rear wheels still projecting slightly above the surface of the water. This balance allows the SUV to move in a controlled manner, like an amphibious tank.
BYD Electric SUV's Water Propulsion Technology
As conventional steering loses its effectiveness in water, the U8 uses all-wheel drive technology, which allows individual control of each wheel through electric motors.
In this way, the BYD Electric SUV can turn its wheels independently to make it easier to move. During the demonstration, the SUV can be seen doing a three-point turn in the water, and then driving back out of the pool.
One detail that caught our attention was the motors’ real-time modulation capability, adjusting the power to each wheel as needed. This system allows the SUV to navigate in the desired direction, even in an aquatic environment.
Limitations and Capabilities
Although the movement is slow, the U8 manages to move forward gradually. According to BYD, the SUV can remain afloat for up to 30 minutes, a feature that could be useful in emergency situations. However, the video does not show whether any water entered the cabin during the test.
After the vehicle emerges from the water, a significant amount of water can be seen running down the doors and along the edges of the trunk. In an emergency situation, this may not be a problem, considering that the priority is to ensure that the U8 can keep everyone safe, even if the passengers get a little wet.
Comparison with Cybertruck
This concept of vehicles that “float” or can cross flooded areas has also been explored by other automakers, including Tesla. In 2022, Elon Musk said the Cybertruck would be “waterproof enough to briefly serve as a boat, crossing rivers, lakes and even seas that are not too rough.”
While Tesla has announced that the Cybertruck is capable of crossing shallow water, the company has yet to demonstrate the capability in action. The difference is that BYD has not only made the promise, but also shown the YangWang U8 in action.
In a market where technological promises often remain just on paper, YangWang’s decision to publicly demonstrate the U8’s capabilities in a real-world environment is noteworthy. It is an example of how automotive innovation can go beyond theory, presenting practical and promising solutions to adverse situations.
A New Era of SUVs?
YangWang’s U8, with its amphibious capabilities, represents a remarkable advancement for the automotive sector, especially in a context where innovations that deal with adverse situations are gaining prominence.
It not only challenges traditional concepts of a luxury SUV, but also sets a new standard for the functionality expected of such vehicles.
BYD's electric SUV is a bet on a differentiator that can win over a demanding audience, who seek safety and versatility in their daily transportation. We wait to see if Tesla and other automakers will follow BYD's example and also take their promises of "amphibious vehicles" to the real world.
With the growing need for innovative and safe solutions, the future of SUVs may lie precisely in vehicles like the U8, which defy convention and offer features designed for extreme scenarios.
Be the first to react!