Watch SWIMMING EV carry car-load of people across lake as world’s first ‘floating’ motor unveiled at Paris Motor Show

A BRAND new EV that can "swim" has been unveiled to a stunned Paris Motor Show audience.

The Chinese electric vehicle, made by car-making giants BYD, is a plug-in hybrid SUV capable of “swimming” for up to 30 minutes.

(A brand new EV that can "swim" has been unveiled at the Paris Motor Show.Credit: Reuters)

(Demonstrations of the EV sees it floating in a lake with a car-load of people.Credit: DiscoverChinaAuto)

(It's believed the feature could be lifesaving in an accident involving water or even during a flood.Credit: DiscoverChinaAuto)

The vehicle can even park sideways, and make a complete tank-style turn on the spot.

The Yangwang U8 model, which was first introduced last year in Guangzhou and is currently only sold in China, can undertake these bold manoeuvres thanks to the use of four electric motors - one in each wheel.

Shown off to the French audience for the very first time, the vehicle even comes with a built-in drone that can be found mounted on its roof - which BYD say can be deployed to show the driver what to expect further down the road.

Described by Autocar as a cross between a Land Rover Defender and the Kia EV9’s, the U8 boasts a high-quality cabin, complete with real nappa leather and wood veneers.

But it's the floating mechanism that's the real wow-factor, and BYD say this new tech “is not just a gadget,” believing the feature could be lifesaving in an accident involving water or even during a flood.

BYD has been rapidly expanding and is currently the world's second largest EV brand after Tesla.
The Chinese EV giants entered many European markets in the summer and hope to really challenge Elon Musk's brand.

Their upcoming release of the mid-sized electric SUV known as the Sea Lion 07 - one of three new models launching in the UK next year - could give the Tesla Model Y a run for its money.