BYD Files Patent For New Hybrid SUV in India

BYD has had a strong start in the Indian market. Within a year of its debut in the Indian passenger vehicle market, BYD managed to sell over 10,000 units which is a very impressive figure for any newcomer selling premium electric vehicles (EVs) that are fully-imported CBUs. The Chinese brand aims to go on the offensive by expanding its portfolio in India with a diverse range of vehicles.

Though BYD only retails fully-electric vehicles in India as of now, globally it has plenty of plug-in hybrids to offer. The company has filed a new patent application in India that has been granted approval by the Controller General of Patents, Trademarks and Designs. The patent image shows a rugged boxy SUV that resembled the Leopard 8 PHEV on sale internationally. 

A full-size premium SUV, the Leopard 8 is also known as Fangchengbao Bao 8 and BYD Denza D8 in other international markets, even though the vehicle remains the same. It is a proper full-size SUV that comes with either a six- or seven-seat configuration. Although BYD hasn’t confirmed that it will introduce PHEVs in India, the growing popularity of plug-in hybrids across the world makes it a very good contender for the Indian market too.

BYD Leopard 8: Design & Dimensions

The BYD Leopard 8 is based on the ‘starship’ design philosophy. The front fascia features a semi-enclosed grille, a U-shaped LED headlamp setup, a full-width LED light bar, and a rugged bumper. At the rear, it gets a tailgate-mounted full-size spare wheel with a distinctive cover, a silver-finished bumper, and rectangular tail lamps. One interesting highlight are three vent-like inlets on top of the windshield. The SUV rides on 20-inch alloy wheels.

Notable design elements like chunky body cladding, a semi-open grille with vertical slats, roof rails, large ORVMs, a clamshell bonnet, and an upright windshield, muscular door cladding, flush door handles, a large glass area with a thick C-pillar design, a tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and a robust-looking rear bumper amplify the overall rugged appearance of the SUV.

As far as dimensions are concerned, the BYD Leopard 8 measures 5,195 mm in length, 1,994 mm in width, and 1,905 mm in height along with a wheelbase of 2,920 mm. Even in its stock form, the Leopard 8 can tow up to 2.5 tonnes. The SUV weighs a hefty 3305 kg.

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BYD Leopard: Features & Specs

Inside the cabin, the dashboard is dominated by a large 17.3-inch free-standing infotainment screen, a 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch co-driver touchscreen, a sizeable flat-bottom steering wheel and more. Other notable features on offer in the BYD Leopard 8 include a 50-inch AR-enabled HUD, wireless charger, a floating effect for centre console, 18-speaker audio system, etc.

Powering the BYD Leopard 8 is a plug-in Hybrid system that utilises a 36.8 kWh Blade battery along with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine that is capable of producing 268 bhp and 380 Nm of peak torque. The turbo petrol mill acts as a generator while a twin electric motor setup drives the wheels developing a combined output of 680 bhp and 760 Nm of torque. The SUV can travel up to 100 km (WLTP) in full electric mode. Transmission duties are carried out by eCVT automatic gearbox.