BYD to debut eight new models at iconic Goodwood Festival of Speed including car that 'SWIMS'

Chinese manufacturing titan BYD has confirmed plans to unveil eight new models across three of its brands at the iconic Goodwood Festival of Speed next month.The BYD Group will debut eight new vehicles from its main BYD marque, as well as premium brand Denza, and luxury automaker Yangwang.It will display the new models at a three-level structure at Goodwood, which is expected to be the largest in the history of the event.The 2,016-square metre plot will allow enthusiasts to get up close and personal with the latest models from BYD, Denza and Yangwang when the festival kicks off on July 9. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say BYD will showcase the display with its flagship Denza Z sports car, which will be present in both Coupe and Racing forms as it makes its global debut.Denza and Yangwang will offer European show debuts for the Bao 5 SUV and the U9 Xtreme and U7, respectively.The Yangwang U9 Xtreme shattered the world speed record for production vehicles at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg circuit in Germany last September.It recorded a top speed of 308.4 miles per hour, which smashed the record for an electric vehicle and the previous 304mph record by a petrol-powered production model.The Yangwang U8L will be presented for the first time in the UK, with BYD describing it as awe-inspiring and also claiming that it can swim.The vehicle can keep drivers safe during flash floods or to cross rivers, with reports suggesting the engine shuts off, windows are closed and the sunroof opens before travelling at 1.8mph by spinning its wheels.Executive Vice President of BYD, Stella Li, praised the upcoming Goodwood, saying that it was more than a product showcase.She said the exhibition would be a statement of intent as it prepares to premiere eight new models across three of its distinctive brands.BYD Group is demonstrating how innovation, performance, premium design and sustainability can coexist within one of the most comprehensive automotive portfolios in the world, Ms Li said.LATEST DEVELOPMENTSMillions of drivers risk huge fines for using everyday item in cars under 'stricter' rulesMotorists without air conditioning told to 'postpone non-essential journeys' in extreme heatThousands of drivers could see fuel duty slashed by 10p a litre in October under new proposalsAlongside the high-performance Denza and Yangwang models, BYD will display the Dolphin G DM-i for the first time in the UK after its global debut in Berlin earlier this month.The new model will be the only plug-in hybrid supermini on the market, with an impressive total driving range of 646 miles.It is also expected to debut the BYD Shark pick-up truck, as Goodwood attendees will be the first in Europe to see the model.A 435PS Dual Mode off-road (DM-o) plug-in hybrid can propel the Shark from 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds, while also having a towing capacity of 2,500kg.Denza's Z9GT will be the first vehicle from the marque to hit UK shores, with BYD confirming earlier this month that it would begin installing its Flash Chargers around the UK.The technology can charge electric vehicles from five to 70 per cent in just five minutes, 10 to 97 per cent in nine minutes and a full charge in -30C temperatures in 12 minutes.Denza plans to succeed the Z9GT with the D9 DM-i, describing it as a high-tech, first-class lounge on wheels.The DM-i powertrain delivers up to 130 miles of pure-electric range, a dual motor layout with 353PS and at least 430 litres of luggage capacity. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter