While everyone was fixated on the new iPhones, BYD quietly dominated the automotive conversation in Chengdu—on August 21st, the pre-sale of the Da Han sedan, meaning «Great Han,» kicked off at a local auto show. This vehicle is set to prove to the world that Chinese manufacturers are capable of creating not just premium electric vehicles, but true luxury. Once the body was revealed, it was clear: the designers drew inspiration from German business class and embraced it without reservation.

In terms of size, the Da Han is seriously ambitious: nearly 5.3 meters long and 2 meters wide, with a wheelbase 66 mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (meaning the cabin is more spacious than the German competitor’s). Its drag coefficient is a phenomenal 0.197. Simply put, it barely resists the air. A lidar system for autonomous driving is installed on the roof, the rear wheels can steer, and the air suspension promises a ride smoother than an airline’s business class. The result: a silhouette reminiscent of the Germans, packed with the latest in Chinese technology.

Under the floor is a battery with a range of 880–1008 km (in real-world conditions, this will be half that amount). The starting rear-wheel-drive version produces 496 horsepower, while the top-tier all-wheel-drive option is much more spirited—764 «horsepower.» Prices start at $36,850, and the top all-wheel-drive version will cost Chinese buyers $44,000. For comparison, a standard Mercedes S-Class in China costs many times more than these figures. German manufacturers are weeping and buying themselves a spot in the graveyard. Chinese people are drinking puerh tea and setting off fireworks.