Huawei Powers BYD’s All-New Bao 8 SUV: Off-Road Ready and Fuel-Efficient

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On November 12th, the Fangchengbao Bao 8 (Chinese says “豹8” meaning “Leopard 8”) was officially launched. This new vehicle comes in four variants, with a price range of 379,800 to 407,800 yuan (~US$52,500 – US$56,400). Powering Bao 8 is a DMO plug-in hybrid system combining a 2.0T engine and electric motors. It’s also equipped with the Yunnian-P system, DiLink 150 in-car infotainment, a BYD 9000 chip, and Huawei’s ADS 3.0 intelligent driving system. The Bao 8 is the second electric off-road SUV from Fangchengbao, BYD’s off-road sub-brand. The first SUV under this brand, Bao 5, was previously launched in August of last year.

Adhering to its proclaimed “future starship aesthetic,” Bao 8 boasts a commanding road presence. The continuous LED strip across the front end and the integrated C-shaped elements create a visually striking grille. The engine hood’s deep contour lines contribute to the vehicle’s muscular and assertive character.

The side profile of the new vehicle showcases a straight and robust design with a muscular appearance. Dimensionally, the Fangchengbao Bao 8 measures 5195/1994/1875mm (1905mm with roof rack) in length, width, and height respectively, with a wheelbase of 2920mm. In normal mode, it offers approach and departure angles of 30° and 29°, a breakover angle of 18°, and a ground clearance of 220mm. With the Yunnian-P suspension raised to its maximum, these angles increase to 34°, 35°, and 26°, respectively, while the ground clearance reaches a maximum of 310mm.

Inside, the new vehicle adopts the Fangchengbao family design language, featuring a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, a 17.3-inch central touchscreen, a 12.3-inch co-pilot screen, and a 50-inch AR-HUD. These displays can be linked for enhanced functionality. The vehicle is equipped with the DiLink 150 system powered by a BYD 9000 chip and AI large model. Additionally, it supports “FangHua” (meaning Fangchengbao-Huawei) hand-vehicle interconnection, allowing users to seamlessly transfer frequently used Huawei mobile applications to the Bao 8’s in-car system.

The vehicle prioritizes safety with a 300-meter infrared night vision system and a comprehensive 14-airbag system. Leveraging Huawei’s advanced Kunlun ADS 3.0 system, the Leopard 8 offers full-scenario NCA assisted driving, enabling autonomous driving from parking lot to parking lot. Furthermore, the vehicle provides convenient features such as remote parking, valet parking, and remote vehicle control.

The Bao 8’s DMO plug-in hybrid system combines a 150kW 2.0T engine with a dual-motor electric drive system, delivering a combined output of 550kW and 760Nm of torque. This powerful yet efficient setup enables a 0-100km/h acceleration of 4.8 seconds, while providing a pure electric range of 125km and a combined range of 1200km. With a NEDC fuel consumption of 8.5L/100km, the Leopard 8 offers a balance of performance and efficiency. Additionally, its 6kW external power output capability adds to its versatility.

The all-new Bao 8 features a non-load-bearing body and is equipped with the innovative Yunnian-P system, offering adjustable suspension softness, height, and stiffness with a travel range of 140mm. The wading depth can reach 800-890mm. Furthermore, the Leopard 8 comes with intelligent three differential locks and low-speed four-wheel drive, supporting multiple driving modes such as snow, sand, and rock. The unique “violent” mode will be added to the Leopard 5 via OTA update on December 31st. The vehicle’s dual-camera and LiDAR system enable it to proactively adjust damping based on real-time road conditions.