BYD Leopard 8 Plug-in Hybrid SUV is Heading to India; Defender Challenger

Chinese EV maker, BYD, is planning to introduce Plug-in hybrid vehicles in the Indian market. The company has filed a design patent in India for the BYD Leopard 8. It is a body-on-frame, PHEV off-roader, which is on sale in multiple international markets under BYD’s two sub-brands - Fangchengbao Bao 8 and the Denza D8. Not just BYD, JSW MG Motor India and JSW Motors are also planning to launch PHEVs in India. 

BYD Leopard 8 PHEV - Design and Dimensions

The design patent appears largely identical to the global-spec Leopard 8, offering a butch and muscular design. In terms of proportions, the new BYD Leopard 8 PHEV is 5195mm in length, 1994mm in width and 1905mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2920mm. The SUV could be introduced as a direct rival to the Land Rover Defender 110. 

The front fascia is dominated by 6-slat grille, and rectangular headlights connected by a thin LED strip. The rugged bumper houses black cladding and a muscular silver skid plate. Patent also confirms that the SUV has a trio of roof-mounted LiDAR sensors for Huawei-made Qiankun ADAS suite. 

The SUV offers a boxy profile from the side, offering blacked-out pillars, large alloy wheels, squared-off cladding and ORVMs, and retractable door handles and massive fenders. At the back, the Leopard 8 PHEV gets a tailgate-mounted spare wheel, a relatively flatter windscreen, and rectangular-shaped tail-lamps with C-shaped DRL signatures, and a massive lower bumper with black cladding and a chunky skid plate. 

Leopard 8 Interiors

The tech-loaded cabin comes with a triple screen dashboard, comprising a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, a 17.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment unit and a 12.3-inch co-occupant entertainment screen. It comes with a four-spoke steering wheel, ambient lighting, an 18-speaker sound system, ventilated seats and others. The centre console houses multiple storage spaces, dual wireless charging pads, and an aircraft-style gear selector. 

The BYD Leopard 8 is available in two seating configurations - 6-seat and 7-seat - with former having captain seats in the second-row. The Chinese-spec model is also available in 5-seat configuration. 

Engine Specifications

The BYD Leopard 8 comes with a plug-in hybrid powertrain comprising a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbo petrol engine, a 36.8kWh battery and dual-motor setup. The combined power and torque output stands at 748hp and 760Nm, respectively. Power is transmitted to all four wheels via an e-CVT automatic unit. It is claimed to achieve 0-100kmph acceleration in just 4.8 seconds. 

The body-on-frame SUV is claimed to offer a WLTP-certified all-electric range of 100km. The SUV offers a driving range of up to 1200km in a full tank, as per CLTC testing.

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