Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD, through its Fang Cheng Bao brand, seeks to compete in the luxury SUV segment with two new models: the Bao 8 and the concept Super 3/Bao 3. It also introduced a new convertible sportscar, the Super 9.
BYD’s luxury electric vehicle unveiled these three new models during the Spring Conference on April 16, Car News China reported.
Bao 8
The Fang Cheng Bao 8 will serve as the brand’s flagship SUV. It is apparently almost production-ready, sporting a large SUV body. It rides on its parent company’s Dual Mode Off-road (DMO) hybrid platform, hinting that it will arrive as a PHEV or EREV model.
The upper part of the windshield houses a lidar. Inside, it will offer three rows of seats with BYD’s innovative Disus-P suspension system. It is expected to have a base price of approximately 500,000 yuan (69,000 USD) and hit the market in Q3 2024.
Bao 3 (Super 3)
Fang Cheng Bao’s entry-level Super 3 concept will use the name “Bao 3” as soon as it hits production. It will arrive as a mid-size rugged SUV model aimed at young customers. The brand teases that the upcoming Bao 3 SUV “highlights the personality of young people.”
Its roof features a drone port, which the brand claims can offer a “car-to-sky” experience. It also sports a fierce appearance owing to its huge off-road tires, fenders, and high-ground clearance. BYD describes the model’s chassis as “Star Wars” inspired. It has concealed door handles and electronic rear-view mirrors.
The Bao 3 will hit the market as an all-electric vehicle, unlike its sibling Bao 5 PHEV. BYD plans to debut the model at the upcoming Auto China 2024 in Beijing next week. The local news platform expects the model to arrive in the year’s fourth quarter and hit the 200,000 yuan (27,600 USD) price point.
Super 9 Convertible Sportscar
Apart from the Bao 8 and Bao 3, BYD also unveiled a conceptual high-performance racing car called “Super 9.”
The Super 9 is a 2-seater supercar concept, combining speed with art. BYD claims it is a specialized sports car under the Speedster category, featuring a space-cockpit cab.
This new unveiling signifies the beginning of a series of launches leading up to the Beijing Auto Show in China from April 25 to May 4.
BYD is widely known for its low-cost electric vehicles, including the sub-$10,000 Seagull EV. Now, it is trying to dominate the high-end luxury market with its new luxury brands.
The Fang Cheng Bao brand sold a total of 3,550 Bao 5 units in March, a notable increase from just 2,310 in February. It has a base price of $40,000 (289,800 yuan) in the Chinese market. BYD aims to boost its sales by more than 20% with its new models across many segments in the market.
