China’s BYD launches new hybrid SUV with 800+ mile range, autonomous driving tech

The advanced driving system is equipped with a 128-line lidar, five millimeter-wave radars, 12 ultrasonic radars, and 14 cameras. It offers features like automatic parking in various spaces, remote control parking, emergency lane keep assist, and blind spot monitoring.

N9 to feature autonomous system, on-vehicle drones

Under the hood, the N9 boasts of a 2.0T engine producing 152 kW (204 hp) and 325 Nm, along with 46.9 kWh blade battery packs, offering a pure electric range of 125.5 miles (202 km) and a comprehensive range of 809 miles (1,302 km) as per China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC) standards. The vehicle accelerates from 0 to 62mi/h in 3.9 seconds, has a minimum turning radius of 4.65 meters, and an NEDC fuel consumption of 6.3L/62mi.

The SUV will also come equipped with BYD’s self-developed God’s Eye autonomous driving system and support on-vehicle drone systems, both introduced in February, as reported by the South China Morning Post. The car enables fast charging, boosting the battery from 30% to 80% in just 19 minutes.

BYD chairman and founder Wang Chuanfu emphasized China’s ambitions in the luxury EV segment, stating that the country seeks to showcase its ability in not only producing quality vehicles but also in establishing a strong foothold in the high-end market. Last year, the automaker sold approximately 3.84 million plug-in hybrids and pure EVs, securing a 20% share of the global EV market and solidifying its leadership in the segment.

China’s EV brands challenge global automakers

Most electric vehicles in China have largely replaced internal-combustion cars, thanks to high-performance batteries, early-stage self-driving technology, and advanced digital cockpits.

Global brands once dominated China’s premium car market, but local automakers like Li Auto and Xpeng gained ground last year with their intelligent EVs. As a result, Mercedes-Benz saw a 6.7% drop in sales, BMW declined by 13.4%, and Audi’s deliveries fell by 9%, according to industry data.

Experts have noted that Chinese EV makers are entering the premium segment to move up the value chain and capture higher margins, posing a growing threat to luxury brands like Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW.

BYD is also looking to rival Tesla in the electric vehicle market with the launch of its groundbreaking battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform and ultra-fast charging technology, reportedly capable of delivering an impressive 1,000 kW of power. The ‘BYD Super e-Platform’ is aiming to showcase charging capabilities that far exceed current industry standards, including Tesla’s Supercharger.