BYD has added another serious contender to China’s electric-car market with the new Da Han, and the numbers are hard to ignore. Launched in China from 235,900 yuan, or around $35,200, the large electric sedan combines big power with an impressive claimed range.
The entry-level version uses a single electric motor producing 496 hp and a 102kWh battery. BYD claims it can travel up to 1,008 km (626 miles) on the CLTC cycle. The range-topping all-wheel-drive model ups the ante to 764 hp, while still managing a claimed 880 km (546 miles).
Charging is another highlight, with BYD claiming the battery can gain a substantial amount of range in just nine minutes. The Da Han also has an impressively slippery 0.197 Cd drag coefficient.
Inside, things get properly premium. Buyers can specify a 31-speaker sound system, electrochromic rear windows and real-wood trim, while three screens dominate the dashboard.
At 5,256 mm long, the BYD Da Han is a sizeable sedan, but rear-wheel steering helps give it a surprisingly tight 4.95-metre turning radius.
