(Yicai Global) Jan. 6 -- BYD, the top Chinese seller of new energy vehicles, has unveiled the first two models of its new high-end electric car brand Yangwang as it branches out of the mainstream market into territory dominated by the likes of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi.

Warren Buffett-backed BYD launched the Yangwang U8 sport utility vehicle and the Yangwang U9 electric supercar, which can accelerate from nought to 100 kilometers an hour in just two seconds, at a press conference yesterday.

The Shenzhen-based automaker did not disclose any prices but said that vehicles under the Yangwang brand would be priced at more than CNY1 million (USD145,300) and powered by the Yisifang driving technology system.

Compared with driving systems used in fossil fuel cars, Yisifang can independently adjust the dynamics of the four wheels in a millisecond through more perceptive electric driving systems to better control the vehicle, BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu said.

In terms of performance, Yisifang has reached a maximum 20,500 revolutions per minute, with horsepower exceeding 1,100, enabling the vehicles to run in various scenarios including on streets, tracks and off-road, Wang added.

BYD will set up experience centers for the new premium brand in Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou in the first quarter of this year, said Hu Xiaoqing, general manager of Yangwang’s sales division. The new brand will have its own sales channel, BYD said earlier.

Editor: Futura Costaglione