Great Han: BYD launches 5.26-metre battery-electric saloon
BYD is launching its new electric flagship sedan, the Da Han EV - a.k.a the Great Han - in China. For years, BYD has positioned the sedan as a premium model alongside the E-SUV BYD Tang, which was also rebranded as the "Great Tang" this summer.
Image: BYD
In July, BYD launched the its seven-seat battery-electric SUV, the Great Tang, in China. The full-size SUV is said to offer up to 950 km of range according to the Chinese standard and costs the equivalent of €30,800. The new Great Han, as the flagship saloon counterpart, was expected to follow shortly after. Four months later, the time has come: officially named Da Han EV, this battery-electric saloon is based on a 1,000-volt architecture, offers up to 1,008 km of range according to the Chinese test cycle, and starts at 235,900 yuan, equivalent to around €31,300.
Both the Tang and Han successors now rank as new premium models in BYD’s “Dynasty” series. They share a length of 5.26 metres, though the Da Han EV, true to its saloon design, has a significantly lower height of 1.51 metres. The model is offered in three variants, with list prices ranging from 235,900 to 275,900 yuan, equivalent to a price range of €31,300 to just under €36,600.
The entry-level ‘LiDAR Premium’ variant features rear-wheel drive and achieves the aforementioned 1,008 km according to CLTC. Above it is the also rear-driven ‘LiDAR Flagship’ variant with identical range, topped by the all-wheel-drive version of the same name, ‘LiDAR Flagship’, for which BYD specifies a range of 880 km. In all cases, the five-seat saloon is 2 metres wide and has a wheelbase of 3.13 metres. BYD states the drag coefficient as 0.197.
As for the drivetrain, the key specifications are already known – thanks to the mandatory vehicle approval application with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Thus, the 370 kW of the single-motor variants and the 570 kW of the all-wheel-drive model come as no surprise. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is said to take 4.9 and 3.3 seconds, respectively. All variants share a 102.3-kWh battery from BYD’s portfolio. This is a Blade Battery with LFP chemistry from BYD’s second generation, which, according to the manufacturer, supports flash charging and can be charged from 10 to 97 per cent in just nine minutes.
BYD lists additional features of the new premium saloon, including a special dual-chamber air suspension and predictive chassis control (‘Road Preview’). The series also features rear-wheel steering with a maximum steering angle of 7 degrees, reducing the turning circle to 5.2 metres and enabling the so-called ‘Crab Walk’ – i.e. diagonal movement of the vehicle. All variants are also equipped with a LiDAR-based driver assistance system (‘God’s Eye B’) and a driver assistance package (‘God’s Eye 5.0’). Further equipment includes special comfort seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and a high-end audio system with 31 speakers.
The exterior design of the Han successor follows BYD’s brand-typical ‘Loong Face’ design with narrow headlights, a chrome grille, and vertical air intakes. The roof is colour-accented and houses the LiDAR sensor centrally at the front. The new flagship rolls on 20- or 21-inch wheels (in various designs). The kerb weight of the vehicle varies between 2.2 and 2.5 tonnes.
Pre-sales for the Da Han EV began on 21 August at the Chengdu Auto Show. According to Chinese industry portals, initial purchase incentives will include one year of free fast charging and trade-in bonuses. Importantly, the market launch initially includes only battery-electric variants. Although BYD has already applied for regulatory approval for a plug-in hybrid version of the Da Han EV, no prices for the partially electrified model were announced during the current presentation.
Regarding positioning, colleagues at CN EV Post recently noted that BYD is closing a gap in its own product portfolio in the price segment around 300,000 yuan with the introduction of the Great Tang and Great Han, and “creating a clearly tiered product matrix alongside the model ranges of Denza and Yangwang.” Both are luxury sub-brands of BYD.
For context: the Han, like the Tang, is a historically significant model for BYD. With this duo, BYD gained early access to the domestic premium market for electric vehicles. Since their market launch, both models have undergone multiple revisions. Most recently, in 2025, BYD expanded the two series with the new flagship models Tang L and Han L, which are based on the company’s new 1,000-volt platform. With the Great models, BYD continues to broaden its range.