Leopard 5 is said to be equipped with BYD's new powertrain DM-o, which is expected to combine the technical advantages of DM-i and DM-p.
BYD's new sub-brand Fang Cheng Bao continues to warm up with the announcement of the official name of its first model.
Fang Cheng Bao's first model is named Leopard 5 ("豹5" in Chinese), the brand said today on Weibo.
BYD officially announced the name of its Fang Cheng Bao brand on June 9, the fifth in its brand matrix after the Dynasty series, Ocean series, Denza and Yangwang.
The Fang Cheng Bao brand name literally translates to "Formula" and "Leopard," symbolizing the pursuit of a transformative rise and exploration of the digital realm, BYD said.
BYD has previously used the code SF to refer to the first model of the new brand, saying it is a hardcore SUV expected to launch this year.
BYD has not provided pricing information on Fang Cheng Bao's first model in its previews over the past few months, though CnEVPost previously learned that the model will target a market priced between RMB 400,000 ($55,410) and RMB 600,000.
Xiong Tianbo, former head of BYD auto's sales research institute, will be the general manager of the brand's sales division, leading the brand's product planning, channel sales and brand building, a company insider previously told CnEVPost.
Rumors have recently surfaced that Fang Cheng Bao's first model will be equipped with BYD's DM-o powertrain, which will be the third BYD hybrid system in addition to DM-i and DM-p.
Currently about half of BYD's monthly sales are battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and the other half are plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs).
Among the PHEVs, the DM-i focuses more on fuel economy, while the DM-p focuses more on performance.
The DM-o is expected to combine the technical advantages of the DM-i and DM-p, and can provide the vehicle with a total sum range of up to 1,200 km and a total powertrain power of up to 500 kW, according to recent reports in several local media.
BYD officially names F brand Fang Cheng Bao, initial model to be launched this year
($1 = RMB 7.2185)
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