BYD Great Tang — a full-size flagship electric crossover
Chinese automotive giant BYD, which recently became the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer, is preparing to launch the Great Tang — a full-size electric crossover that promises up to 950 kilometers of range on a single charge. If these figures are confirmed under real-world conditions, this would be one of the longest-range production electric vehicles in the world. Sales in China are scheduled to begin in May 2026 — and competitors are already getting nervous.
BYD Great Tang — What Is This Electric Crossover
Great Tang is the flagship SUV in BYD’s lineup, the production version of the Dynasty-D concept first shown at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show. In terms of dimensions, it’s a full-size crossover that will be available in several variants: fully electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Both variants have already filed for sales approval in China, so the actual market launch is not far off.
The name “Great Tang” references the Tang Dynasty — one of the most powerful in Chinese history. For BYD, this isn’t just a marketing gimmick: the company positions the model as a direct competitor to the Geely Galaxy M9, which is already selling well — over 11,600 units in January–February 2026 according to China EV DataTracker.
950 km Range: How BYD Achieves Record Distance
The headline figure — 950 kilometers (about 590 miles) on a single charge — refers to the rear-wheel-drive version of the electric vehicle. It’s built on a 300 kW electric motor and a 130.15 kWh battery. This is the second-generation Blade Battery — BYD’s proprietary development that uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, known for its safety and longevity.
It’s important to understand: the claimed 950 km is a result based on the Chinese CLTC cycle, which traditionally yields more optimistic numbers than the European WLTP or American EPA. In real-world conditions, especially in winter or during active highway driving, the range will be lower. But even accounting for this, we’re talking about a very impressive figure — likely around 700–750 km using stricter methodologies. For a full-size crossover, that’s an impressive result.
A 130 kWh battery — the foundation of the record-breaking range
In addition to the large battery, the Great Tang supports megawatt-level charging — BYD’s so-called flash-charging technology. This means that at compatible stations, the vehicle can gain hundreds of kilometers of range in just minutes, and this no longer seems like science fiction, although specific charging speed figures have not yet been disclosed.
BYD Great Tang Model Range: From Economical to Sporty
BYD offers the Great Tang not in one, but in four configurations — a smart move to capture the widest possible audience:
- BEV (rear-wheel drive) — 300 kW, 130 kWh battery, range up to 950 km. The option for those who need maximum range.
- BEV (all-wheel drive) — combined power of 585 kW, 0–100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, range up to 850 km (528 miles). A balance of power and range.
- PHEV DM-i — a hybrid with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine (115 kW) and a 200 kW electric motor. Pure electric range — up to 212 miles (~341 km) from a 66.48 kWh battery.
- PHEV DM-p — a sporty hybrid with two electric motors and the same ICE, totaling 400 kW. All-wheel drive with an emphasis on dynamics.
This lineup covers virtually all needs — from calm city driving to high-speed highway trips.
Rear-Wheel Steering and Air Suspension: Why a Huge SUV Needs Them
Full-size crossovers are usually associated with clumsiness in parking lots and narrow city streets. BYD addresses this problem with rear-wheel steering — a technology previously found mainly on premium sedans like the Mercedes S-Class or Porsche Taycan.
The result is impressive: the Great Tang’s turning radius is just 5.2 meters. For comparison — that’s even less than the tiny Mini Hatch (5.4 meters). A huge family SUV that turns tighter than a subcompact — it sounds almost like a joke, but it’s a real engineering achievement.
Great Tang’s turning radius is smaller than a Mini Hatch
Additionally, the vehicle is equipped with an adaptive air suspension — DiSus-A with dual-chamber air springs. The system automatically adjusts stiffness and body height depending on road conditions — softer on highways for comfort, firmer in corners for handling, and higher off-road for ground clearance.
BYD Great Tang Price and Prospects for Other Markets
The exact price hasn’t been announced yet, but according to CarNewsChina, BYD plans to position the Great Tang below premium models from its Denza sub-brand (N8L and N9) to avoid cannibalization within its own lineup. Approximately, the starting price in China could be around 300,000–400,000 yuan (roughly $41,000–$55,000 at current exchange rates), though these are only estimates based on positioning.
As for availability outside China — things are still unclear. BYD is actively expanding its presence in Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, but the Great Tang hasn’t been officially announced for specific markets yet. Given current trade barriers (European tariffs on Chinese EVs, restrictions in the US), the model’s path to Western markets may prove difficult.
For the Russian market, the situation is also ambiguous: BYD already sells several models in Russia, but the appearance of the Great Tang specifically has not been confirmed. Nevertheless, given the growing interest in Chinese electric vehicles and parallel imports, the chances of seeing this model at Russian dealerships are not zero.
What BYD Great Tang Changes in the Electric Crossover Segment
The main thing the BYD Great Tang demonstrates is the disappearance of the main argument against electric vehicles. “The range isn’t enough for long trips” — a phrase that sounded justified just a couple of years ago — is now losing its meaning. Even if the Great Tang’s real-world range turns out to be 20–30% lower than claimed, 650–700 km on a single charge is enough to drive from Moscow to St. Petersburg without a single charging stop.
At the same time, the Great Tang is not an experimental prototype but a production vehicle with a specific sales launch date. The combination of record range, fast charging, a full-size body, and an advanced chassis with rear-wheel steering makes it one of the most technologically advanced electric crossovers in the world. All that remains is to wait for real-world tests and feedback from the first owners — they will show just how close the claimed 950 km is to reality.
