Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD will introduce the Yuan Plus sibling named “Yuan UP” in its home market in the first half of 2024, CarNewsChina.com reports, citing the leaked documents from government regulators.
For context, every vehicle must first undergo the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s (MIIT) homologation process before it hit the market. It releases the list of the new vehicles proposed by various automakers, which reveals yet-to-be-unveiled models like the BYD Yuan UP.
Design
BYD’s upcoming Yuan UP model is a five-seater electric SUV with a length of 4310mm, width of 1830mm, and height of 1675mm. It also has a 2620mm wheelbase. That said, it would be the most compact model in the Yuan lineup consisting of the Yuan Plus (also known as Atto 3) and Yuan Pro.
The new model is an addition to the existing Dynasty family, which is inspired by prominent Chinese emperors. That said, it features a similar design to other Dynasty models, particularly with the new Song L.
It has a boxy and angular body style with substantial protective cladding to the car’s sides. It offers a panoramic sunroof as an option. Its rear end also has an athletic spoiler, as noted by CarsGuide. Additionally, it has sophisticated tail lights linked by an LED strip to highlight its width from the back.
It offers two wheel options, including a 16-inch and a 17-inch. Meanwhile, the tire specifications include 215/65 R16 and 215/60 R17.
Technical details
The BYD Yuan UP apparently offers two powertrain configurations, including a 70 kW motor (model TZ180XSF) and a 130 kW motor (TZ200XSW).
Hefei BYD Automobile will produce the vehicle’s electric motor, while Wuwei Findream will provide the LFP Blade battery.
The models have a curb weight of 430 kg and 1540 kg, respectively. Meanwhile, its top speed is up to 160 km/h.
It will apparently ride on the same electric platform as the Atto 3 SUV.
SUV’s growing popularity
InsideEVs noted the increasing popularity of SUV body types in the electric vehicle industry, particularly “on the compact side of things.”
BYD launched the Seagull last March 2023, with production now reaching over 200,000 units so far this year.
Meanwhile, the new Dolphin has already surpassed the 500,000 unit production mark. Both models
All that said, the Yuan UP has the potential to dominate the local market, considering the increasing interest of customers toward SUVs. It can potentially challenge the current dominance of Tesla’s Model Y.
BYD has yet to reveal the official price of the new Yuan UP. However, the industry expects the model to cost below 100,000 yuan (14,000 USD). For reference, the larger Yuan Pro EV with a 70 kW motor has a 95,800 yuan base price.
