Deadlines with the luxury factor and high performance

We are in a restricted area at Valkenburg Airport – an abandoned military airport outside Amsterdam. Here we are invited to test BYD’s new electric car – named Han.

She, the car, is a large sedan of a little more than five meters in length, with four-wheel drive, a large battery of 85.4 kW and two electric motors. This delivers all-wheel drive and a total output of 517 horsepower.

Soon you’ll be in Norway – and if you think Tesla is too expensive (Model S) or too small (Model 3) – this could be an interesting alternative.

Exciting complete package

The name is taken from a Chinese breed – just like Tang SUV. BYD is clearly proud of the news, which will be launched on the Norwegian market very soon.

It’s fast – 0-100 km/h takes just 3.9 seconds – spacious and has a luxury factor that’s sky-high. Add that all equipment is more or less provided as standard, and you have a collection that Norwegians can enjoy.

As a bonus, work is also underway to get it approved with both the hitch and the roof load. Those we spoke to at the event seem optimistic about achieving this. Most likely, the trailer weight will be 1.5 tons.

BYD has unveiled the new model at the Le Mans Museum in The Hague. A place you must visit too. There are more than 200 private cars on display here.

BYD also has another electric car on the way – read more and watch a video here

similar to Tesla

The first impression gives an association with the Tesla Model S. A low, elegant sedan.

The exterior design is elegant and sporty – without being too ostentatious. It comes standard with 19-inch wheels – but it actually looks a bit small in this car.

Otherwise, BYD loves the chrome strips. Are we guessing that many will frustrate these blacks?

The interface got BYD’s Dragon Face design. It looks appropriately rough – and super hard when it gets BYD’s glossy red paint.

Unlike the Tesla Model S, there is a regular “opening” for the luggage compartment, and not a solution with a large tailgate where the rear window is included and provides better access.

The luggage compartment itself is 410 liters. Not terribly big. But it’s a double bottom and it practically looks bigger than the number suggests. You can also have a mini ski week here.

Left, the first BYD vehicle launched in Norway: the Tang SUV. In the middle stands the Han - and to the right is the Atto 3 intersection. — Left, the first BYD vehicle launched in Norway: the Tang SUV. In the middle stands the Han – and to the right is the Atto 3 intersection.

I hardly heard of this car brand

First class interior

Inside, there’s no doubt that BYD has ambitions to mingle with premium brands. They can do that. This is simply too good there is a lot of nappa leather in the seats, doors and dashboard, contrast stitching and the quality of the materials is generally high.

The seats are also very good. There are proper sports seats that squeeze in all the right places. They are also well ventilated, electrically adjustable and have heat. The only thing we would like is to be able to sit a bit.

There’s also a good head-up display – but we’re missing info about the phone and media.

Fortunately, you can control most of the functions via the buttons and wheels on the steering wheel. For the times when you have to press the home screen, it responds quickly. But getting to know the paths and shortcuts in the menu system takes time.

Auto journalists from all over Europe were in the Netherlands to test the new BYD models.

This is a luxury SUV for sale

screen boom

BYD has no intention of falling behind on screens either. There are several here: digital instrumentation, a 15.4-inch infotainment screen where you can choose between a landscape display and a vertical display, a separate screen for air conditioning in the rear of the center console as well as a 5-inch display integrated into the center rear armrest.

From the rear seat, you can also control the front passenger seat, should you wish to secure additional legroom. You can also return the seat back to relax more.

Whoever sits in the middle rear seat should be satisfied with less comfort and less space than those on the sides. But that is the case with most people.

Much attention is paid to the back seat passengers of BYD Han.

BYD promises an electric car with a monster range

fast

With 517 horsepower and all-wheel drive, it goes without saying that the Hahn is a fast car. One thing is mentioned 0-100 km/h time. A fun gimmick that BYD offers is that you can try to measure the acceleration yourself. The car has a launch control system, which automatically takes the time from a stop to 100 km / h.

Launch control is activated by putting the car into sport mode, holding a button on the steering wheel, pressing the brakes and waiting a few seconds – then giving the throttle full.

We tested. With three people in the car, the best time we managed was 4.3 seconds.

By the way, BYD received assistance from both Brembo and Bosch for the brakes – as in BYD Tang.

Otherwise, the car feels very comfortable, in our small test drive, we drove it. There is an electronically adjustable chassis and steering. But there was no opportunity to check it in detail.

Here they begin the long journey to Norway

The luggage compartment has a double bottom - and it seems larger than the stated volume of 410 liters. — The luggage compartment has a double bottom – and it seems larger than the stated volume of 410 liters.

Shipping and range

It should be able to charge at speeds up to 120 kW. It’s not even close to the best. But BYD says Han should have a consistent charging curve, and they think it will ensure efficient charging. We couldn’t test this.

30-80 percent should take 30 minutes. We point out here that most others use 20-80 percent as a benchmark.

When charging at home in the garage, it can receive up to 11 kW, if you have a three-phase charger.

The car can also be used as a power source, so you can, for example, supply power to other electric cars, appliances or a high pressure washer, to name a few.

The sports seats are of very high quality and impressively good comfort, which are standard equipment. Also note the diamond pattern on the doors. Here it becomes clear that ambition is the position of the automotive sector.

price and delivery

In other words, the car itself looks exciting. However, the question is how much it will cost – and how quickly it will be delivered. BYD is responsible for the entire value chain, including the production of Blade in-car batteries. This means that they are in a rather unique position.

The manufacturer promises that it will be able to deliver cars long before the New Year. This becomes important. From January 1, a 25 percent value-added tax will be levied on all electric vehicles costing more than 500,000 NOK.

Everything indicated that it would apply to Han. But how interesting will the cost of more than half a million kroner be. We think it will cost around 650-670.000 NOK.

BYD also stands out a bit in that it sells “fully equipped” cars. Thus, the starting price will give a realistic picture of what you can actually expect for a fully equipped vehicle.