Fang Cheng Bao Bao 8 (Leopard 8) was revealed by the regulator in China, showing some key specs of the new hardcore SUV. Fang Cheng Bao is a new brand under BYD, focusing on personalised vehicles, according to the automaker.

The Fang Cheng Bao brand was officially revealed in August 2023. Its first and yet only car on the market – Bao 5 – was launched in November. The flagship SUV Bao 8 will be its second car.

On May 12, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) reported that BYD applied for market homologation of the Bao 8, revealing the pictures of the production version. No car without MIIT approval can be sold in China, and the ministry publishes the list monthly. Automakers are not happy about this, as it reveals pictures, specs, and other secrets of cars they haven’t yet launched. But we don’t mind.

Bao 8 is a large, rugged SUV almost 5.2 meters long with six or seven seats. The dimensions are 5195/1994/1875 mm and wheelbase 2920 mm. The curb weight is 3,905 kg.

Like its smaller peer, the Bao 5, the Bao 8 is an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV). This is a plug-in hybrid variant, where ICE is not connected to the wheels but can power the battery or the e-motor. The 2.0 turbo engine produces 200 kW of power.

Bao 8 has two electric motors, one smaller one in the front with 200 kW and 300 kW in the rear. The total powertrain output is 700 kW (939 hp). The acceleration from 0 to 100km/h is 4.8 seconds, and the top speed is 180 km/h.

The electricity is stored in BYD’s lithium iron phosphate battery (LFP) Blade battery from BYD’s wholly-owned subsidiary FinDreams. However, the capacity hasn’t been revealed yet.

The car will sit on BYD’s new DMO platform dedicated to offroad vehicles and feature the Disus-P suspension system.

Listing in the regulator’s catalog is usually the last step before shipping the car to the market. CarNewsChina expects the Bao 8 will officially launch in Q3 at around 500,000 yuan (70,000 USD).