Spy shots taken in China in September 2026 show that BYD's luxury brand Yangwang is developing two all-new flagship models, a full-size sedan and a full-size SUV. The sedan adopts a coach-door design and is speculated to lack a B-pillar, with a silhouette close to that of the Rolls-Royce Phantom; the SUV is undergoing high-temperature testing in Turpan, has a side stance close to the Cullinan, is equipped with a single LiDAR unit, and places greater emphasis on on-road performance. Most existing Yangwang products are priced above RMB 1 million, and 442 units were delivered in the Chinese market in August 2026. The two new vehicles are positioned as the brand's new flagships, with powertrain type and pricing pending official confirmation.
In September 2026, a set of spy shots taken in China showed that BYD's luxury brand Yangwang is developing two all-new flagship models — a large sedan and a large SUV. The former's silhouette has been described as close to the Rolls-Royce Phantom, while the latter's side profile is similar to the Cullinan. The SUV was spotted undergoing high-temperature testing in Turpan.
Yangwang is the brand vehicle for BYD's push into the ultra-luxury market. Apart from the U7 sedan, most of its existing products are priced above 1 million yuan (about $150,000), with customization and special editions pushing prices even higher. Previously, the U8 established product awareness with features such as tank turns, while the U9 Xtreme reinforced its performance credentials with track performance.
Sedan: Coach doors, long wheelbase, and a B-pillar-less hypothesis
The sedan in the spy shots is huge with a long wheelbase, and its side profile resembles the Phantom. Judging from the position of the door handles, the car adopts coach doors (also known as "suicide doors"). The vehicle is equipped with Maybach-style wheels — already fairly common among Chinese new-energy luxury models. An air tank is visible below the rear bumper, suggesting it is equipped with BYD's DiSus-A air suspension system, though it may be tuned for a larger, more high-end model.
Some Chinese sources speculate that the sedan will use a B-pillar-less body design, providing more space for entry and exit when both doors are opened at the same time. This design would make it difficult to maintain body rigidity, and this could be offset by a load-bearing battery mounted underneath — a common design choice in modern new-energy vehicles. In addition, the car does not have a panoramic glass roof, instead using a metal roof, possibly to improve rigidity. Notably, the sedan in the spy shots is not equipped with a lidar.
SUV: Road-oriented with a single lidar
The new SUV is undergoing high-temperature testing in Turpan. Unlike the rugged off-road image of the U8 and U8L, its side profile is closer to that of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Chinese sources expect the car to focus more on on-road performance: its ground clearance at rest is noticeably lower, though it is not yet certain whether this results from adjustable ride height. Like the new sedan, it uses Maybach-style low-profile wheels rather than off-road-oriented thick tires.
A single lidar is mounted on the roof above the windshield, a common configuration on Chinese new-energy vehicles. The car is expected to feature BYD's DiPilot 600 advanced driver assistance system (known domestically as "God's Eye"), but the other two lidars are not present.
The powertrain remains unknown. The U8 and U8L are based on BYD's e⁴ platform, using a combination of four motors plus a front-mounted 2.0L turbocharged range extender; the e3 platform, meanwhile, provides a mechanical connection between the engine and the front axle while retaining independent rear-wheel control. With off-road capability no longer a priority, the new SUV may be built on the e3 platform, thereby reducing fuel consumption under sustained high-speed conditions.
Platform and product positioning
The two new cars could become Yangwang's new flagship products, adding two more "halo models" above BYD's existing lineup. At the same time, both plug-in hybrid and pure electric versions may be offered, consistent with common practice among Chinese luxury new-energy vehicles.
Sales backdrop
Yangwang's brand positioning means it does not pursue large-scale volume. According to China EV DataTracker, Yangwang delivered 442 vehicles in the Chinese market in August 2026. As BYD's flagship halo brand, its sales volume is limited, but monthly sales have continued to grow year-on-year. For the two new cars, the intent to benchmark against the segment where Rolls-Royce competes is already fairly clear, while final pricing, powertrain forms, and production specifications still await official confirmation.
