BYD's Fang Cheng Bao 8 is a PHEV answer to GWM's Tank 700

Launched last year, Fang Cheng Bao or Formula Leopard is BYD’s third and latest sub-brand. It is positioned below the premium Yangwang and above the Denza sub-brand that focuses on SUVs and track-oriented segments.

At the company’s recent Spring Conference, three new cars were unveiled, further expanding the future Fang Cheng Bao lineup. We will focus on the Bao 8 here which will be the flagship SUV model, slotting above the Bao 5 which is the lone model that is currently offered in China.

The unit shown at the event is not a concept but is nearly production-ready unlike the rugged Super 3. It will be a competitor against the newly launched GWM Tank 700 Hi4-T and the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series if it is introduced in the international market.

The Bao 8 sits on BYD’s Dual Mode Off-road (DMO) hybrid platform that is also utilized on the Bao 5. Though no interior photos were revealed, the flagship SUV would feature a 3-row seat layout and will be equipped with the DiSus-P suspension system that is also equipped on the Yangwang U8.

The Yangwang U8 seems to also be a design inspiration for the Bao 8 with a similar boxy design and a set of Lidar sensors on the roof. Powertrains are not revealed but it could be offered with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain like the Bao 5.

Chinese media speculates that prices of the Bao 8 could start from around CNY 500,000 (~RM 330k) with a launch expected in the third quarter of the year (Q3 2024).

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