BYD is one of China’s most ambitious automakers, not only moving beyond China’s borders to sell its vehicles, but going all-in with plug-in car technology. One of the most anticipated plug-in cars of 2015 is the BYD Tang, a 500 horsepower plug-in SUV that is slated to arrive at dealerships this July, reports CarNewsChina. While the $48,360 base price might seem like a lot to swallow, buyers in China will benefit from a slew of incentives designed to make plug-ins more appealing.
The BYD Tang is the first of the automaker’s second-generation plug-in cars, often referred to as the 5-4-2; 0 to 60 MPH in under 5 seconds, 4-wheel drive, and less than 2 liters of fuel consumption per 100 km. Motivation comes from a pair of 150 horsepower electric motors, joined by a 2.0 liter turbo engine making a combined 505 horsepower and 530 lb-ft of torque.
Maximum electric driving range is rated at 50 miles per charge, comparable to the 2016 Chevy Volt. The Tang Ultimate Edition will push the envelope even farther, offering a 0 to 60 MPH sprint of just 4.4 seconds, rivaling the once-dominant Tesla P85+ (but not the AWD P85D). Speaking of Tesla, BYD is planning a Gigafactory of its own as it strives to stay competitive with Musk.
While the $48,000 price tag is pretty hefty, incentives could bring the cost down to about $35,000. Even in America, the federal tax rebate would bring the cost to just over $40,000, not that far out of line for your typical well-appointed SUV. The interior looks plush and techie enough without being overwhelming, the Tang’s exterior aesthetics would like right at home on America’s roads, and it’ll have plenty of passing power to play with.
If BYD is planning to invade America, the Tang should lead the way.
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