Paris 2022 World Championships – Video presentation: Baid Tang, the Chinese heavyweight
Be warned, a rolling object is a hard sell. Think about it, one of the three Byds (to build your dreams) to be offered at the next Paris Motor Show in October is a large 7-seater SUV with 517 hp that measures 4 .87 m and 2.475 tons. The same type of car that scares away customers in Europe, even when the machine is signed by a famous brand. Suffice it to say that the Chinese newcomer multiplies the obstacles in trying to import this Tang.
However, upon closer inspection, this massive machine has some arguments. Of course, it is very heavy, but with its two motors, one per axle, and its battery (byd signature, of course) of 86.4 kWh, it allows itself a reasonable autonomy of 400 km WLTP. Of course, his line, without being outright lacking, doesn’t risk having his necks undone along the way. We are facing a design that could be Japanese or Korean, like the Kia Sorento: it is harmless. But we do not offer an SUV capable of transporting 7 people because of the aesthetic choice, but because of the habitability criteria.
Unlike more famous models such as the Skoda Kodiaq or the Peugeot 5008, which also offer a third row and 7 seats, the Tang does not offer folding seats, which are only used for a limited period of time. The rear seats are usable. Obviously in this case the boot is reduced and you’ll have to make do with a toothbrush to avoid overflowing from the remaining 235l. But this Byd may appeal to smaller families who still have three children and will find themselves very well fitted in the back seat of the second row. Because in this case, they can count on the 940 liters of the trunk. This is no longer a chest, but a bottomless pit.
If habitability is a good point of this Tang, its build quality is another. It is similar (with similar elements too) to that of the large Han sedan, from which it borrowed the platform and both engines.
Quality entered the compartment
The interior is frankly premium. the seats and door panels are upholstered in synthetic leather, and alcantara runs along the dashboard, as well as the digital screens. the large center plate rotates on its own, and the driver has a rather classic digital instrument cluster in front of him, with the addition of LEDs hidden behind the instrument panel on the passenger side. Therefore, everyone travels in a rather high-class universe.
As we said, this big baby has the same organs as the big Han sedan. The 86 kWh battery powers the two motors, which deliver a combined output of 517 hp. in four-wheel drive mode. Enough to grab the 2,475kg car from 0 to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds, even if this Tang is limited to 180km/h. Weight figures and build quality that should add to the bill. However, if this Byd is not given, it is also not sold at completely unreasonable prices.
Already known in the Norwegian market, where in one year it became the best-selling large SUV in the country, the Tang is on display there at a price of 58,000 euros. Sure, it’s likely to suffer a little inflation when it gets here, but it shouldn’t blow up its prices because of all that. How can Byd afford to display such reasonable prices? Avoiding intermediaries. The batteries? The brand is Byd, as are the motors and microprocessors. The manufacturer controls the entire chain, which reduces costs and makes it possible to reduce delivery times in these times of shortage.
