ⓘ Which Car?

BYD's premium sub-brand Denza has just unveiled the N8, a second-generation electric SUV that, according to China's CLTC (China Light-Duty Vehicle test cycle), boasts a supposed range of 623 miles (1,003 km). This figure comes courtesy of a substantial 130.2kWh battery pack, dwarfing the capacity found in most long-range electric vehicles available today. Tesla's long-range vehicles, for example, typically have 75–100 kWh. A smaller 105.8kWh "standard range" battery is also available, giving buyers a choice between ultimate range and a lower price point.

The N8 comes in two main variants. The standard N8 and a longer-wheelbase N8L variant share most of their design and mechanical layout, but the N8L reaches 17.1 feet (5.2 m) in length while keeping the same width, height and wheelbase as its sibling. This increased length also results in a slightly lower range of 597 miles (960 km) under CLTC conditions. Buyers can choose between a single rear-mounted motor (either 320kW or 370kW), or a triple-motor all-wheel-drive setup pairing a 270kW front motor with two 310kW rear units for a combined output of 890kW.

Charging speed is just as striking as the range figures. BYD claims that its latest generation of Blade 2 batteries with flash charging capabilities can charge from 10 to 70% in around five minutes under ideal conditions, equating to roughly 373 miles (600 km) of range. Nine minutes of charging purportedly brings the battery to 97%.

Of course, these numbers should be viewed with scepticism. China's CLTC test cycle is widely regarded as one of the more generous testing standards, with estimates suggesting that it can inflate range claims by between 15-30% compared to real-world driving. Converted to stricter Western test cycles, the N8's range would likely come closer to 511 miles (822 km) under Europe's WLTP standard. Even with these numbers, the N8 would still rank among the longest-range electric SUVs currently sold.

Information on pricing and availability outside China is still pending; other models from Denza have sold for well over €100,000 on the European market.