Going to China wasn’t just about the Beijing Auto Show. At the invitation of BYD, I spent three intensive days in Zhengzhou – a 13-million aglomeration that houses a major R&D centre and a massive manufacturing plant for New Energy Vehicles (NEVs). In this episode, I summarize everything our hosts showed us, completely unfiltered and straight to the point.
You’ll see spectacular demonstrations on a brand-new test track, including the 3.5-tonne luxury SUV, the Yangwang U8, which can actually float on water and tackle an artificial sand dune. I take a look at automatic parallel parking by shifting the rear axle, and experience the Yangwang U9 electric supercar. I also deconstruct the internet legends about a factory allegedly larger than San Francisco and check how the promises of 1500 kW Flash Charging hold up in practice.
In this video:
The NEV Test Track: Does a 70-metre wading pool and a 28-degree artificial dune impress an automotive journalist?
Tank-style Parking: How the Denza N8L enters a parking spot nose-first and why this innovative solution might be brutal for tyres.
Archimedes' Principle in Automotive: How the million-RMB Yangwang U8 floats, why it's strictly an emergency feature, and how much a post-sumbersion inspection costs.
The Factory that... Isn't There?: Breaking down the reports about the size of BYD's plant and comparing its production density with Stellantis' plant in Tychy, Poland.
Mud, Off-Road, and Damage: How luxury off-roaders handled a slippery, clay-filled track and what the Fangchengbao Ti-7 (BYD Ti-7 DM-i) has to offer.
Di Space Museum & Flash Charging: A visit to BYD's technological hub and a demonstration of charging from 10 to 97% in 9 minutes. Did it actually work?
Join me for an honest and subjective review of my visit to Zhengzhou. Let me know in the comments which of these technologies caught your eye the most!
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? Also watch:
BAIC Beijing 5 (Senova X55) https://youtu.be/2nuM_trHIWk
BYD ATTO 2 https://youtu.be/bZ3pajAemWs
BYD Dolphin Surf https://youtu.be/VO_YdaRLDh0
Jaecoo 7 https://youtu.be/z_iMO92F7a8
Jetour T2 https://youtu.be/fhhiWZd532Y
MG HS https://youtu.be/YtBi1YffSTM
#MarekDrivesENG #BYD #YangwangU8 #Zhengzhou #China #Denza #Supercar #EV #Hybrid #OffRoad #Automotive2026
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?Transparency note: ?
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