At the Chengdu show, BYD introduced the Bao5, the first model of its new Chang Feng Bao brand. The plug-in hybrid 4×4 will be followed by at least 3 models and could have an international career.
With the development of the leisure world, off-road type look models are in vogue in China. Greatwall has its Tanks and its Haval Dogs, BAIC its Beijing BJs, Chery its Jetour T-Series… BYD in turn has a range in this spirit: Fang Cheng Bao. The fourth brand of the Chinese group is positioned at a level of range equivalent to that of Denza, and of course with electrified vehicles. This will be a definite advantage since the models mentioned above are still only thermal.
For the Bao 5 (Leopard 5) SUV presented in Chengdu, we have to do with a plug-in hybrid proposal. But electric models should also arrive later. Because this Bao 5 will not be alone in its range. BYD has confirmed the arrival of a large Bao 8 and a small Bao 3. And we already know that a pick-up is also in preparation.
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Under the direction of Wolfgang Egger, the style takes up the canons of the genre to face rivals which are also called Defender, Class-G or Land Cruiser. Cubic shapes, a long bonnet, clearly visible side and chassis protections, a spare wheel on the rear door with side opening… In figures, its dimensions are 4890 mm for the length, 1970 for the width, 1920 mm for the the height and 2800 mm for the wheelbase.
BYD mentions an angle of attack of 39 degrees and a departure angle of 33 degrees for an optimized version to come, and 33 or 32 for the model presented whose ground clearance is 220 mm. For comparison, a Defender 110 boasts 31.2 and 37.8 degrees (thanks to a longer wheelbase) and 218mm of ground clearance.
Resting on a ladder-type chassis, we can assume that the Bao 5 is a close cousin of the Yangwang U8. BYD evokes a new “DM0” platform. In any case, it adopts the electronically controlled air suspension Disus-P. However, we do without 4-wheel steering or the most advanced functions here.
Under the hood, a small 1.5 Turbo, 143 kW anyway But like all the latest Chinese PHEVs, the emphasis is mainly on electric propulsion and this thermal engine intervenes as a backup, and not the other way around. On the other hand, we note that BYD does not pass the course towards the simple range extender yet in vogue in China. The Bao 5 is equipped with two electric motors: 200 kW at the front, 250 kW at the rear and the total power reaches 500 kW and 760 Nm. BYD evokes 125 km of autonomy in electric mode and 1200 km in total. The 0 to 100 km/h is accomplished in 4.8 seconds.
The interior is still quite discreet, but the multiple screens will be present: in the center, facing the driver and facing the optional passenger, plus a head-up display announced for a projected image size of 50 inches. On the console, off-road universe obliges, BYD has provided a multitude of controls for driving modes, the locking of the three differentials… There will also be a refrigerated compartment in the central console and an audio system signed Devialet. Despite generous dimensions, no third row of seats on this model.
The price of the Bao 5 has been confirmed between 300,000 and 400,000 RMB (38,000 to 50,000 €). The Fang Cheng Bao brand should also experience an international adventure. Quite unlikely in Europe with limited outlets for this type of vehicle, we imagine it very well coming to settle in Australia or in various Asian countries.
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