BYD recently released winter testing pictures of its upcoming electric SUV, which will launch as the first vehicle under the new Fang Cheng Bao brand. The photos were taken in Yakeshi, Inner Mongolia, and many Chinese media call them spy shots. Still, CNC readers already know these are just standard promotional pictures provided by the automaker. However, hidden information in the photographs suggests the SF SUV launch will be delayed from June to August.

BYD never had any subbrands, only selling under its leading BYD brand. But this is changing now. In January, they launched the high-end expensive brand YangWang, and its first car, the hardcore off-roader U8 cost over 1 million yuan. BYD recently announced its second brand, Fang Cheng Bao (Equation Leopard in Chinese). Its first vehicle is codenamed SF and will start presale this year. FCB brand is positioned under YangWang in a price range of about 600k yuan (83,500 USD).

Also, we shouldn’t forget about Denza. Initially, it wasn’t a brand under BYD but a joint venture with Mercedes-Benz, where both parties held equal stakes. But Denza was never very successful, and Mercedes diluted its share in Denza to 10% in December 2021. The Fang Cheng Bao is positioned slightly over Denza.

The new ‘spy shots’ show the boxy SUV performing various actions in the snow or climbing mountains. However, there is one difference from previously released pictures. The mysterious number on the body changed from “2316” to “2318”.

There were many possible theories about the number meaning. The most common one was 2 for dual motors, 3 for three differential locks, 1 for range exceeding 1000km, and 6 for launch in June. Since 6 now changed to 8, Chinese media speculate that the debut will be postponed to August. Well, we will keep an eye on that.

Some details have already leaked, so we know the SF’s length reaches 5 meters with a wheelbase of 2.8 meters. It will be a 4WD plug-in hybrid with a DM-p powertrain, 680 hp, and a mixed range of 1200 km (CLTC). The new SUV will be equipped with a DiSus-P suspension. Previously also interior leaked, revealing three large screens inside.

Fang Cheng Bao SF is supposed to compete with Mercedes G class and Land Rover SUVs.

BYD has set an official objective to achieve sales of 3 million new energy vehicles (NEVs) within this year, with an optimistic aim to reach 3.6 million units. In May, BYD achieved a significant milestone by selling 240,220 cars, marking a growth of 108% compared to the previous year. Furthermore, during the initial five months of this year, BYD successfully sold 996,476 vehicles.