GIIAS 2024: BYD M6 EV MPV Bows Alongside YangWang U8 In Indonesia

New BYD M6 EV MPV debuting at GIIAS 2024 in Indonesia this week. The EV MPV sees three variants available with seating for up to 6 or 7 persons across three rows. (Image: GIIAS Facebook)

More news from across the Malacca straits, this this from Chinese new energy vehicles (NEVs) giant BYD. At the 2024 edition of the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) happening this week, firm has a slew of new models launched for the Republic that graces its booth.

Leading things for BYD here were the debut of the new M6 EV MPV and YangWang U8 luxury EV SUV. Alongside them, the firm also launched entry-level variants of its best-selling Atto 3 EV crossover SUV and Dolphin EV hatchback for said republic at the show too.

Essentially, the BYD M6 is a rebadged iteration of its budget-friendly e6 EV MPV model, but the M6 boasts more upmarket styling and amenities with higher performance. (Image: Kompas).

Starting with the M6, it certainly appears the Chinese NEV-making giants have another winner in its hands, especially for the massive Indonesian market where said vehicle type is highly popular. Effectively, this is a rebadged iteration of its budget-oriented e6 EV MPV.

However, unlike the e6 model it underpins, the M6 boasts upmarket looks, greater sophistication and more power, but it hasn’t lost its value-driven roots despite this repositioning. For Indonesia, the M6 comes in three variants – Standard 7-seat, Superior 7-seat, and Superior 6-seat.

The M6's exterior styling is akin to its Atto 3 crossover sibling, featuring chrome accents plus styling 17-inch Y-spoke alloy wheels. (Image: Kompas).

All variants adopts a front-mounted e-motor and front-wheel-drive (FWD) driveline, with the base Standard variant boasting 160 HP and 310 NM outputs. The higher-end Superior variants, on the other hand, boasts 201 HP instead – the same as the Atto 3.

All variants are juiced by BYD’s signature ‘Blade’ LFP battery packs with 55.4 kWh (Standard) and 71.8 kWH (Superior) capacities offering 420 KM and 530 KM of claimed NEDC-rated range figures. As standard, both packs accepts 7 kW AC charging as well.

Only the Superior variant benefits with 115 kW DC fast-charging ability, thus allowing 10-80% re-charges in just 40 minutes. The Standard guise instead makes do with a lower DC fast-charging input limit of just 89 kW.

Typical of BYD, the M6's kit lists includes a massive 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen, high-count of ADAS features and, in the high-end 6-seat version, it even boasts a panoramic glass roof plus second-row captain seats. (Images: Kompas).

Unlike the e6, the M6’s more upmarket styling sees its rock touches mirroring its Atto 3 crossover SUV cousin featuring chrome exterior accents plus tasty 17-inch Y-spoke alloy wheels. The same can be said about the interior which dons faux leather upholstery and rich amount of kit.

Key highlights of the latter consists of things like the massive rotating 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen unit that also boasts Apple CarPlay connectivity, keyless entry and ignition with added NFC key card, automatic climate control, V2L function, and 360-degree camera.

The higher-end Superior guise builds further upon which by adding a panoramic glass roof, power-adjustable and ventilated front seats, wireless charging pad, plus a powered tailgate. These certainly bode will with the 6-seater option available that boasts second-row captain seats.

(Image: BYD Indonesia Facebook).

There’s also a high-degree of Active Driver Assistance (ADAS) features primed as standard, which includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control (ACC), lane centring assist, blind spot monitor, and more.

Critically, the BYD M6 is poised to be a winner in Indonesia thanks to its relatively affordable prices. It starts from IDR379 million (RM109,385) in Standard 7-seat form, IDR419 million (RM120,930) in Superior 7-seat guise, and from IDR 429 million (RM123,816) for the range-topping 6-seat version.

BYD YangWang U8 luxury EV SUV at GIIAS 2024. (Image: GIIAS Facebook)

Next comes the debut of the BYD YangWang U8 luxury EV SUV. The model is being showcased at the show in similar fashion as how the marque’s Malaysian arm did with the Fang Cheng Bao Bao 5 super-PHEV luxury SUV during the Malaysia Autoshow 2024.

Built atop BYD’s cutting-edge e4 platform, the YangWang U8 is a full-sized luxury of-roader that packs dual e-motors plus a range-extender 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol mill. The former is juiced by a 49.05 kWh Blade LFP battery pack, which can also be recharged by the latter petrol mill.

Altogether, the YangWang U8 boasts super-high outputs of 1,180 HP and 1,280 NM, allowing for 0-100 KM/H sprints in just 3.6 seconds. As for electric-only range, BYD touts the YangWang U8’s capability at charting up to 1,000 KM of travel.

Much like the Fang Cheng Bao Bao 5 model mentioned, the YangWang U8 boasts a slew of special capabilities for both on- and off-road use, plus a slew of high-end luxury inside and out. It even has a high degree of semi-autonomous driving abilities – a typical trait of most BYD products.

For now, it remains unclear if BYD’s Indonesian arm intends to market the YangWang U8 in the Republic anytime soon, though its presence and showcase at GIIAS 2024 does show its strong intent to do so.

BYD Dolphin Dynamic (left) and Atto 3 Advance (right) debuting at GIIAS 2024. (Image: Kompas).

Lastly, the firm also elected to debut new entry-level variants of its Atto 3 and Dolphin models at the show. Dubbed the BYD Atto 3 Advance and Dolphin Dynamic, both models feature smaller 49.92 kWh and 44.9 kWh Blade LFP battery packs respectively, each promising up to 480 KM and 490 KM ranges.

Apart from the smaller batteries, both models do not differ much from the ‘Standard’ variant versions BYD Indonesia offered prior. Both are now on sale in said Republic priced at IDR365 million (RM105,344, Dolphin Dynamic) and IDR465 million (RM134,206, Atto 3 Advance).