Great Han: BYD expands its premium saloon line-up

Recent approval documents published by China’s regulators have revealed key details about BYD’s upcoming flagship saloon. As part of China’s mandatory homologation process, manufacturers must submit vehicle specifications to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. With these filings being publicly accessible, they provide public access to essential data on new vehicle launches in China. From this, we can learn that BYD’s new flagship saloon will deliver up to 570 kW of power and a range of up to 1,008 kilometres under the Chinese test cycle.

According to Chinese media portals, the model is expected to launch locally later this year under the names Great Han or Dahan. The entry-level version will likely feature a single-motor setup with 370 kW of power and a range exceeding 1,000 km. Additionally, an all-wheel-drive variant with 570 kW is planned, which, according to the datasheet, will achieve a range of 880 km under the CLTC standard. The energy storage system is an LFP battery, though its specifications have not yet been disclosed in detail. The Great Han will also be available as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), combining a 200 kW electric motor with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Its electric-only range is expected to reach 370 km under the CLTC standard.

The premium saloon measures 5.26 x 2.0 x 1.51 metres, with a wheelbase of 3.13 metres. Its exterior design follows BYD’s signature ‘Loong Face’ styling, featuring narrow headlights, a chrome grille, and vertical air intakes. The roof is colour-accented and houses a centrally positioned LiDAR sensor at the front. The new flagship will utilise 20- or 21-inch wheels, available in various designs. According to the homologation documents, the vehicle’s kerb weight also ranges between 2.2 and 2.5 tonnes.

For context: the Han, alongside the electric SUV Tang, is a historically significant model for BYD. This duo enabled BYD to establish an early foothold in China’s premium electric vehicle market. Since their market debut, both models have undergone multiple updates. 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 is now further broadening its portfolio.

In addition to the Great Han, a Great Tang is also in development. Car News China reports that both models will share the same technical standards and will support BYD’s well-established Flash Charging technology. Regarding the launch sequence: the Great Tang is expected to debut first, followed by the Great Han after a short delay. Demand is reportedly high: “Previously, the Great Tang SUV became a massive success in China, getting 100,000 orders in less than two weeks. As a result, BYD postponed the car’s launch two times to make sure it would meet the capacity.”

Meanwhile, the existing BYD Han model range will continue to be available in China. According to data from China EV DataTracker, domestic sales of the standard BYD Han reached 3,390 units in May, while the more powerful Han L achieved 689 units. Overall, BYD is facing pressure in its home market. Domestic sales have consistently fallen below the previous year’s figures month on month. However, BYD has maintained its course, primarily due to its increasingly strong export performance.

carnewschina.com, cnevpost.com