The Electric Car ‘Bigwig’ Prepares to Take on the Hyundai Santa Fe in Vietnam, With a Name That Has the Online Community in a Flurry.

Following the introduction of three electric vehicle models, namely the Seal, Dolphin, and Atto 3, in July 2024, the BYD brand in Vietnam is looking to expand its product portfolio in the local market. According to sources, the highly anticipated October launch will include the BYD Han, BYD M6, and BYD Tang.

Among these, the BYD Tang has captured the attention of the online community due to its controversial name.

“Tang,” in Sino-Vietnamese pronunciation, refers to the Tang Dynasty in Chinese history. This dynasty once dominated Đại Việt, evoking a painful past for the Vietnamese people. Furthermore, the word “tang” in Vietnamese carries an inauspicious connotation, associated with grief and loss, which may deter potential customers.

Initial information suggests that BYD may retain the name in the Vietnamese market due to legal issues and the need for consistency across international markets.

Setting aside the name, the BYD Tang is a noteworthy vehicle in terms of design and technology. With dimensions of 4,870 x 1,950 x 1,725 mm and a wheelbase of 2,820 mm, it is smaller than the VinFast VF 9 (positioned in the E segment) but significantly larger than other D-segment SUVs such as the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento.

The front of the vehicle features a sleek LED daytime running light strip that surrounds the thin headlamp clusters, along with a large trapezoidal decorative air intake. The “C”-shaped air intakes at the corners of the front bumper enhance cooling and airflow.

Character lines run along the body, improving aerodynamics, while the new two-tone black and white alloy wheels add a stylish touch.

The rear of the BYD Tang EV 2024 boasts a full-width LED taillight strip and a roof spoiler with an integrated brake light. Overall, the exterior design conveys a modern and robust aesthetic befitting a D-segment SUV.

Inside the cabin, the BYD Tang features a sporty flat-bottom steering wheel and a digital instrument cluster. The centerpiece is a 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system that can rotate between landscape and portrait orientations, accompanied by a W-HUD head-up display. Below the screen are air vents, wireless phone charging, and a gear selector.

The BYD Tang 2024 offers a 6-seat configuration with a 2+2+2 layout, featuring business-class seats in the middle row. It also retains the traditional 7-seat option to cater to diverse customer needs.

In addition to essential amenities, the BYD Tang boasts additional convenience features such as independently adjustable electric seats, with the driver and front passenger seats offering 8-way adjustability; a panoramic sunroof; and a seat heating and massage system.

In terms of performance, the BYD Tang is equipped with a hybrid electric-electric powertrain, comprising two separate electric motors – one at the front with 180 kW (241 hp) and one at the rear with 200 kW (268 hp). The total system output reaches 517 hp, coupled with an all-wheel-drive system.

The vehicle is powered by a 90.3 kWh battery, offering a range of 600 km for the front-wheel-drive version. The high-end AWD model utilizes a 108.8 kWh battery, providing a range of 635 km on a single charge.

While the official pricing for the BYD Tang in Vietnam is not yet known, in China, it is offered in three variants with prices starting at 31,190 USD (approximately 769 million VND), 34,028 USD (approximately 839 million VND), and 38,285 USD (approximately 945 million VND), respectively.