BYD recently introduced its new Yangwang U7 with a 2.0 L boxer engine. So why did BYD develop an all-new boxer engine rather than relying on its already present inline or V-type engines? Let’s explore further. Subaru and Porsche are the only other two major brands using such an engine design layout on a mass scale. Exploiting the benefits of a boxer engine, like low center of gravity, less vibration, and performance, both Subaru and Porsche have been highly successful in rallies and motorsports.
Boxer engines, also known as horizontally opposed engines, are basically characterized by their flat layout with pistons moving horizontally rather than vertically, as in inline or V-configured engine designs. Mimicking the punches thrown by a boxer, it is therefore commonly known as boxer engines.
In 1900, flat-four engine was first used in Benz racing cars. Since then, many iconic models have used this layout, like the VW Beetle, Subaru WRX STi, Porsche 911, etc. BYD’s Yangwang U7 is a full-size luxury sedan offering sports car-like performance. The BYD Yangwang U7 price is from RMB 628,000 (USD 86,405) to 708,000 (USD 97,410) in China for both the EV and PHEV variants.
Advantages of a boxer engine
1. Low Center of Gravity – One of the main advantages of a boxer engine is its low profile, resulting in a lower center of gravity of the vehicle. This immensely improves the handling and stability of the vehicle, especially while cornering or doing sudden evasive maneuvers.
2. Smooth Operation – The opposing nature of the pistons movement tends to cancel off each other’s vibrations, thus resulting in a much smoother engine operation as compared to other inline or V-type engines. A boxer-four engine has perfect primary and secondary balance. Therefore, they do not require balance shafts to reduce secondary vibrations.
3. Compact Design and Better Fuel Economy – Flat layout allows engine output to flow directly into the transmission, reducing engine components and inefficiencies, thus resulting in better fuel economy. Subaru makes some of the most fuel-efficient AWD vehicles. With inline engines, the transmission often sits to one side of the engine, thus creating an imbalance.
4. Performance – The perfect balance combined with the compact layout of the boxer engine leads to less load on the crankshaft. Thus, boxer engines are relatively compact for their power output, making them perfectly suitable for performance vehicles.
5. Safety – In the event of a frontal accident, the boxer engine’s low center of gravity allows the engine to drop “below” the passenger compartment instead of in it.
BYD Yangwang U7 Overview
After the amazing jumping and dancing Yangwang U9, BYD surprises again with the Boxer engine in its new Yangwang U7. Featuring an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.7 sec and a top speed of 270 km/h, the vehicle offers sports car-like performance at a much more affordable price of under USD 90,000.
The U7 is offered in both electric and PHEV variants. Each punching out 1,306 HP (974 KW) of power and 1,680 Nm (1,239 ft-lbs) of torque. The EV variant uses four motors, one on each wheel. The PHEV variant uses a 2.0 L turbocharged boxer engine. The EV has a CLTC range of 720 km (448 miles), while the PHEV has a total comprehensive range of 1,000 km (621 miles).
At over 5 meters long, this luxury sedan offers a spacious interior and a generous boot. Its sleek aerodynamic design offers a drag coefficient of only 0.195, which is one of the lowest in the world. As the boxer engine lays low and flat, BYD is able to give the U7 a low bonnet profile.
Both variants have four-wheel steering, giving the car a turning radius of just 4.85 meters (15.9 ft.), and matching that of much smaller cars. BYD’s DiSus-Z active suspension system is height-adjustable and offers an ultra-smooth ride. It can also stabilize and drive the vehicle on three wheels in case one of the tires blows off while moving.
BYD Yangwang U7 Specifications
| BYD Yangwang U7 – EV model | |
| Price | RMB 628,000 – 708,000 |
| Acceleration : 0 – 100 km/h | 2.9 sec |
| Top Speed | 270 km/h (168 mph) |
| Maximum Power | 1,306 HP (974 KW) |
| Maximum Torque | 1,680 Nm (1,239 ft-lbs) |
| Maximum Electric Range (CLTC) | 720 km (448 miles) |
| Battery Size | 135.5 kWh (Blade Battery) |
| Charging time : 30 – 80 percent | 20 minutes |
| Drag Coefficient | 0.195 |
| Turning Radius | 4.85 meter (15.9 ft.) |
| Drive | Intelligent 4WD |
| Steering | Four wheel steering |
| Length | 5,265 mm (207 inches) |
| Width | 1,998 mm (79 inches) |
| Height | 1,517 mm (60 inches) |
| Wheelbase | 3,160 mm (124 inches) |
| BYD Yangwang U7 – PHEV model | |
| Price | RMB 628,000 – 708,000 |
| Acceleration : 0 – 100 km/h | 2.9 sec |
| Top Speed | 270 km/h (168 mph) |
| Maximum Power | 1,306 HP (974 KW) |
| Maximum Torque | 1,680 Nm (1,239 ft-lbs) |
| Engine | 2.0 L Turbo – Boxer design |
| Pure Electric Range (CLTC) | 200 km (124 miles) |
| Total Range (CLTC) | 1,000 km (621 miles) |
| Battery Size | 52.4 kWh (Blade Battery) |
| Charging time : 30 – 80 percent | 10 minutes |
| Drag Coefficient | 0.195 |
| Turning Radius | 4.85 meter (15.9 ft.) |
| Drive | Intelligent 4WD |
| Steering | Four wheel steering |
| Length | 5,360 mm (211 inches) |
| Width | 2,000 mm (79 inches) |
| Height | 1,515 mm (60 inches) |
| Wheelbase | 3,200 mm (126 inches) |
BYD Yangwang U7 Design
The vehicle’s striking features include its headlights, low sleek body profile, flush door handles, and attractive wheel designs. Also, you can just knock to open the doors.
With a long wheelbase, the Yangwang U7 offers a spacious and luxurious interior with nappa leather and three large touch screens. The seats have ventilation, heating, and massaging functions along with a 20-point power adjustment. The rear passengers have foldout tables and a mini refrigerator along with two touch screens.
The vehicle is equipped with three lidar units, five radar sensors, 13 high-definition cameras, and 12 ultrasonic sensors. It is equipped with BYD’s God’s Eye (Tier A) advanced driver assistance system, providing Level 3 autonomous driving.
So why did BYD opt for a boxer engine?
The main reason could have been the advantages offered by a boxer engine in terms of its lower center of gravity, fewer vibrations, better balance, compact design, and performance. Also, the boxer design being flat with less height as compared to the inline and V-type engines allows the Yangwang U7 to have a low bonnet sports profile. The result has been a full-size luxury sedan with sports car-like performance, and with a price tag of under USD 90,000, it poses a serious challenge to traditional luxury brands.
As BYD moves into the exclusive club of boxer engines currently dominated by Subaru and Porsche, it shows how quickly BYD can adopt and develop the best technologies available. Known for its advancement in EV and blade battery technology, incorporating a boxer engine in the new Yangwang U7 shows BYD’s commitment to innovate in internal combustion engine (ICE) technology as well. So we can soon expect to get cars coming out of BYD with Subaru- and Porsche-like performance and driving experience.
BYD’s Yangwang brand is slowly carving out a unique niche for itself with unique features like vehicles that can drive on three wheels, dance, jump, and swim like a boat for a while. Every Yangwang model comes out with some unique features and advanced technology; we can only be excited waiting for the next.
