The Big Picture
- BYD Da Han spotted without disguise on Weibo today. Red, white pillars, 汉 badge.
- 5,256mm — 66mm longer than Mercedes S-Class (5,190mm). Wheelbase 3,130mm.
- Flash charge 10-97% in 9 minutes. RWD 1,008km / AWD 764hp 880km. PHEV 470km EV. Target: ~300,000 yuan ($44,100).
1. By the Numbers
- BEV RWD: 370kW (496hp), 1,008km, second-gen Blade Battery
- BEV AWD: 570kW (764hp), 880km
- PHEV: 1.5L turbo + 200kW motor, 54.5kWh LFP, 470km EV
- Flash charge: 10-97% in 9 minutes
- LiDAR: DiPilot 5.0, urban + highway NOA
- Chassis: rear-wheel steering, active suspension
- Platform: shared with Da Tang SUV (100K+ pre-orders)
2. Spy Shot Details
Red exterior, white pillars and roof — unusual two-tone for Chinese luxury. Chrome trim, weighted center caps (Rolls-Royce detail), 汉 badge. Semi-hidden handles, full-width taillight, roof LiDAR.
3. The Uncomfortable Math
300,000 yuan (~$44,100) — less than an E-Class in China. Larger than an S-Class, charges faster than any German EV, more range than anything with a star on the hood. Same strategy as BYD in Korea with Sealion 6: enter with a price incumbents can’t match.
German brands depend on China for 30-40% of profits. The Da Han attacks that profit center with a flagship that makes German flagships look overpriced. BYD hit 17M NEVs in 82 days from 16M — at 12,200/day.
Author’s Take: The Da Han is not an S-Class competitor — yet. It’s a competitor to the idea that German luxury sedans are worth triple the price. At 5,256mm with a 9-minute charge and 1,008km range, it makes the S-Class, 7 Series and A8 look like last-decade products at this-decade prices. German luxury margins depend on the assumption that no Chinese competitor can build a car that makes a German executive feel overcharged. The Da Han is that car.
The Bottom Line
BYD Da Han: 5,256mm. Longer than an S-Class. 1,008km range. 9-minute charge. LiDAR + rear-wheel steering. $44,100 — less than an E-Class. BYD just hit 17M NEVs. The Germans should be paying attention.
