BYD may bring its upmarket four-wheel drive off-roaders to Europe in a move to rival Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz.

The Chinese electric carmaker is pondering exporting to Europe two premium SUVs from its Yangwang and Fang Cheng sub-brands, the U8 and Bao 5, according to German publication Automobilwoche. 

Revealed last year, the U8 in particular would rival the Land Rover Defender plug-in hybrid and the forthcoming pure-electric version of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The U8 uses four electric motors, one on each wheel, a 49kWh battery and has a 2.0-litre petrol engine that acts as a generator. Total power is a whopping 1,184bhp and the car has an 'emergency flotation' system that allows the car to float on water for up to 30 minutes. A clever four-wheel drive system also allows the car to turn like a tank and drive sideways into parking spaces.

The upmarket off-roader is expected to be revealed at next month's Geneva Motor Show, and currently costs $152,000 (£120,000) in China.

BYD executives could also give the green light to sales of the Fang Cheng Bao 5. It's a plug-in hybrid off-roader with a more modest $43,500 (£34,300) price tag.

If they do appear in Europe and arrive in UK dealerships, the two models would likely be rebranded and lose their Yangwang and Fang Cheng badging. 

BYD is pushing hard in Europe to capture a sizeable share of the electric car market, and will also launch its Denza brand, which is 10% owned by Mercedes-Benz, in Europe later this year.

If 1,184bhp Yangwang U8 off-roader comes to Europe, it'll likely be rebranded