BYD Thinks Its New Flagship Can Take on the Mercedes S-Class

Luxury buyers have plenty of choices, but BYD believes it has another one worth considering. The new Da Han sits at the top of the Dynasty lineup, combining generous dimensions with flagship-level performance.

It's longer than a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, offers up to 764 hp, and claims more than 600 miles of range on a single charge under China's CLTC testing standard. Even the name, which was previously translated as "Great Han," hints at the car's ambitions.

The BYD Da Han measures 207 inches long and rides on a 123.2-inch wheelbase, making it one of the largest sedans BYD has ever built. The design keeps things clean and elegant, with slim LED headlights, a full-width light bar, and smooth bodywork shaped for efficiency. 

Underneath, every electric Da Han uses a 102 kWh battery. Rear-wheel-drive models produce 496 hp and offer a claimed driving range of between 603 and 626 miles. Buyers who want more punch can move up to the dual-motor all-wheel-drive version, where output jumps to 764 hp. Range drops slightly to between 509 and 547 miles, although those figures come from China's CLTC test cycle, which tends to deliver higher estimates than most real-world driving.

Buyers will also have the option of a plug-in hybrid version. It combines a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with a 54.4 kWh battery and a single electric motor, producing a total of 422 hp. The company says it can cover up to 292 miles in electric mode alone. The numbers are there, but is that enough to make you choose the Da Han over a Mercedes S-Class or BMW i5? Let us know what you think.