BYD's 5,500mm sedan debuts in UAE

5,500 millimeters. That is the reported length of the new electric sedan BYD is preparing to launch in the United Arab Emirates. The vehicle is the largest and most luxurious model in the company's history. It will debut outside China, a strategic shift for the brand.

BYD general manager Hu Xiaoqing confirmed the launch location this week. No specific date has been announced, though the car is expected to appear publicly this month. Local reports place the length at 216 inches. This dimension matches the Rolls-Royce Phantom and the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.

The sedan targets ultra-luxury buyers. It competes directly with Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Mercedes-Maybach. This marks a sharp departure for BYD, which is best known for affordable vehicles. The Seagull, a small hatchback, sells for under $10,000 in China. The new flagship sits at the opposite end of the market.

Yangwang is the sub-brand releasing the sedan. It is the highest tier in BYD's hierarchy, above Denza and FangChengBao. Earlier Yangwang models used the quad-motor e4 platform. That system delivers 1,300 horsepower. It also uses the DiSus-X intelligent body control system. This technology allows the vehicle to jump and drive on three wheels.

Zheng Yu, executive general manager of Yangwang, said the car will feature unprecedented disruptive technology. He did not provide specific details. However, the sedan was displayed at a BYD Flash Charging station. This suggests support for megawatt flash charging. The car also has rear-hinged coach doors, a first for the company.

The sedan is reportedly the first model to use BYD's solid-state batteries. Executive vice president Stella Li told Carwow.es last month that the first solid-state battery vehicle would debut in 2027. The new sedan may arrive ahead of that schedule. Rumored pricing starts at 2 million yuan. That is approximately $300,000.

The price is far above current Yangwang offerings. The U7 electric sedan starts at 658,000 yuan, or $98,000. The U8 and U8L are plug-in hybrid luxury off-road SUVs. The U9 is an electric super-coupe. The extended U8L is the brand's current highest-priced mass-produced vehicle. It starts at 1.45 million yuan, or $217,000.