The Chinese Build Your Dreams (BYD) has major European ambitions, but except in Norway, the brand is not yet active in any European country. That will soon change. AutoWeek can already show you the first images of a brand new electric SUV that may come to the Netherlands as an electric Tang. And we’re not talking about an electrically charged gripping tool.
Build Your Dreams (BYD) is a major player in China, but in the Netherlands we only know the brand from the electric city buses. BYD indicated in 2020 that it had ambitions to also conquer the European car market. The brand is now active in Norway, where it sells the electric version of the current Tang SUV called the SUV (photos 8 to 11). BYD announced, among other things, that it would also bring the electric Han EV, a sedan, to our continent. AutoWeek can show you the first pictures of an all-new electric SUV that is also likely to come to Europe.
BYD X Dream Concept (2021)
To identify the car on these patent plates, we have to point out both the current electric Tang and a study model from BYD. The current Tang dates from 2018 and succeeded its predecessor delivered between 2015 and 2018, which therefore only lasted three years. The BYD Tang II, as the current generation Tang is actually called, dates from 2018 and is therefore also three years old this year. It is therefore not inconceivable that the Chinese brand will soon come with a completely new Tang.
BYD’s New Electric Tongs?
Then the concept car. BYD introduced two study models to Chinese consumers at the Shanghai Motor Show in April this year: the EA1 Concept and the X Dream. The EA1 is now in production as Dolphin, but from the eccentric X Dream with its ‘suicide doors no production model has yet appeared. BYD’s new SUV in these photos bears a strong resemblance to the X Dream, although the production version has to make do with conventional doors and side mirrors. BYD’s newcomer does get recessed handles in the doors.
BYD Tang (current model, for sale as an EV in Norway)
Simultaneously with the presentation of the EA1 and X Dream study models, BYD presented an all-new modular platform for EVs called the E-Platform 3.0. It is quite possible that the electric SUV on these plates will follow the electric version of the Tang. The Tang is not only available as an EV, but is also available with petrol engines and with plug-in hybrid technology. A platform specifically intended for an electric car will undoubtedly improve the EV content of the model and that could make the ‘new electric Tang’ extra interesting. The fact that the patent plates are registered with the European Patent Office strengthens our suspicions.
BYD’s E-Platform 3.0 is suitable on paper for cars with a range of more than 1,000 kilometers (NEDC). It also offers 800v on-board voltage and is suitable for four-wheel drive models and super athletes who can sprint to 100 km/h in less than 3 seconds. These are extremes, but nevertheless interesting data for cars that will use the E-Platform 3.0.
Denza X
Fun fact: the BYD Tang is a technical brother of an electric SUV in which Mercedes-Benz is also involved. Mercedes-Benz has a joint venture in China with BYD: Denza. Denza initially only sold the Denza 500, and now only has the Denza X on its menu. That SUV shares its technology with the Tang II and is available as a plug-in and as an EV.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl