The BYD-backed Fang Cheng Bao (FCB) launched the Bao 8 off-road SUV. This car has a body length of 5.2 meters, a ground clearance of 310 mm, up to 737 hp, and a starting price of 379,800 yuan (52,500 USD). The Bao 8 (AKA Leopard 8) also has overseas ambitions as BYD aims to sell FCB-branded cars under the Denza brand in Europe.
Fang Cheng Bao is the BYD’s off-road NEV brand launched in 2023. Its first model (Bao 5, Leopard 5) entered the market in November last year. It took BYD one full year to launch the second FCB model. It is the flagship plug-in hybrid off-roader Bao 8.
Bao 8 exterior and dimensions
The exterior styling of the FCB Bao 8 mixes the look of a traditional, sturdy SUV with some modern features like retractable door handles, a LiDAR sensor on the roof, and a glossy grille. It adopts blackened pillars and a roof. Moreover, the Bao 8 has large bumpers, LED headlights, and blocky wheel arches. The BYD’s off-road beast has a swing-out rear door with a full-size spare wheel mounted on it.
The FCB Bao 8 boasts hefty dimensions of 5195/1994/1875 mm with a wheelbase of 2920 mm. Aside from being just big, the FCB’s flagship SUV offers a flexible DiSus-P suspension system. Thanks to this system, the Bao 8’s maximum ground clearance reaches 310 mm. Approach and departure angles are 34 and 35 degrees, respectively. The Bao 8’s clearance with regular suspension settings is 220 mm (approach angle: 29 degrees, departure angle: 18 degrees).
Bao 8 interior
The interior of the FCB Bao 8 is in line with the previously launched Bao 5 and the BYD Shark pickup truck. It has three screens in the center console: a 12.3-inch LCD instrument panel, a 17.3-inch driver’s display, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger. The Leopard 8 also offers a 50-inch augmented reality head-up display. The BYD’s custom-built BYD9000 chip powers the infotainment system.
The Dang Cheng Bao Bao 8 was previously positioned as BYD’s first car to have a deep interconnection with Huawei mobile phones. Therefore, this sturdy SUV supports UWB Huawei mobile phone car key solution. Users can also transfer commonly used apps from their Huawei phones into the Bao 8’s infotainment system. The Leopard 8 has 14 airbags inside. It also supports the ADS 3.0 driving assistance system capable of self-parking and navigating on a highway.
The FCB’s full-size off-roader is available with two seat layout variants. The first one has seven seats with a 2 + 3 + 2 configuration. The second one has six seats with a 2 + 2 + 2 layout. The Bao 8 adopts a cooling storage compartment, ambient lighting, a fragrance system, and up to 18 speakers. BYD is doing its best to make sure the Bao 8’s driver can go off-roading with enough comfort.
Bao 8 powertrain
The Bao 8 adopts the DMO powertrain. It is a parallel plug-in hybrid system with a 2-liter ICE and a pair of electric motors. The peak power output of this system reaches 550 kW (737 hp). This car also offers the low-speed 4WD mode and three automatic differential locks. It provides multiple off-road modes like snow, sand, mud, mountain, rock, wading, etc.
The Bao 8 has a 36.8-kWh LFP battery on board, suitable for 100 km of WLTC electric range. Its mixed range reaches 1200 km. The Bao 8’s fuel consumption rate with a drained battery is 8.5 L/100 km. As for the zero-to-hundred acceleration time, it is 4.8 seconds.
Bao 8 prices
The Fang Cheng Bao Bao 8 is available for purchase in China in four trim levels. Their prices are as follows:
- FCB Bao 8 Luxury 7-Seat – 379,800 yuan (52,500 USD)
- FCB Bao 8 Luxury 6-Seat – 387,800 yuan (53,600 USD)
- FCB Bao 8 Flagship 7-Seat – 399,800 yuan (55,300 USD)
- FCB Bao 8 Flagship 6-Seat – 407,800 yuan (56,400 USD)
