Dubai Police has added the Chinese-made Yangwang U8 to its luxury tourist patrol fleet, unveiling the SUV at the WETEX 2026 exhibition at Dubai World Trade Centre. The vehicle was displayed at the event, but the police did not release footage of it floating or moving through water there.
The U8, from BYD Group’s Yangwang brand, can float and travel through water in emergencies such as floods, according to earlier videos from the automaker and journalists. The system is designed to keep the SUV afloat for up to 30 minutes and move it at speeds of up to 3 km/h, allowing a driver to steer toward dry land within the feature’s operating limits. It is not intended for routine water use.
The SUV has four independent electric motors, one for each wheel, and a 2.0-litre gasoline engine that generates electricity to extend driving range. Its combined output is 1,197 hp, and it can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds. A tank-turn function lets the vehicle rotate 360 degrees by driving its wheels on either side in opposite directions.
Dubai Police says the patrol will serve tourist areas including Burj Khalifa, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard and Jumeirah Beach Residence. Officers will use it to engage with residents and visitors, provide assistance and share information about police services. The force said the addition reflects its push to adopt advanced vehicle technology and cleaner mobility solutions, with support from UAE Yangwang distributor Al-Futtaim Automotive.