Meet the Car That Floats: BYD's YangWang U8 SUV Comes With an Emergency Floating Mode

And it is not just floating that it does. The car is also capable of moving forward at 3 kph (1.8 mph) and of turning wheels. It can also do a 360-degree tank turn, the famous tank turn, on land and water both.

BYD claims that the feature is not for having fun crossing lakes and rivers. It is specifically designed for emergency situations such as floods or accidents with the car ending up in water. The video promoting the function show the model driving through water and the wheels turning. The display in the center console offers data regarding the move through water. After such an incident in which the car needs to drive through water, it also needs to be taken to a service center for inspection. The U8 sports IP68 level waterproof.

The carmaker offers two versions of the U8. The standard one can wade up to a depth of 39 inches (one meter), similar to what the Mercedes-Benz G-Class can do. Meanwhile, the Off-Road Master Edition, equipped with a snorkel, can do up to 55 inches (1.4 meters) under water. A Premium Edition is also included in the lineup.

When floating is needed, the driver has to engage the Yachting Mode. It automatically elevates the suspension, deactivates the engine, switches the HVAC system to re-circulation mode to avoid water ingress, closes the windows and opens the sunroof. The latter move is made to give occupants an escape route.

The U8 is an electric SUV with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that serves as a range extender that is manufactured by BYD's high-end subbrand, YangWang. With the 20-gallon (75-liter) fuel tank and 49.05-kWh battery pack full, the U8 can drive as far as 621 miles (1,000 kilometers).

Considering its output, proportions, and capabilities, it should drop as a rival for the upcoming EQG off-roader from Mercedes-Benz.

The model is powered by four electric motors, each engaging a wheel, for a total output of 1,184 horsepower (1,196 PS). Each wheel can turn in a different direction, which allows the model to do the impressive tank turn.

YangWang is going to kick off deliveries of the U8 Premium Edition in October, with pricing kicking off at 1,089,000 yuan ($151,564 at the current exchange rate). The Off-Road Master Edition is going to reach customers at a later date.

If you think that this is the first production model capable of floating, Elon Musk might argue with you on that. In June 2016, the Tesla CEO announced that the Model S could be driven like a boat through water, for short periods of time. Yet he said: "def wouldn't recommend it."