BYD's Leopard 5 SUV looks like the all-new Land Cruiser Prado

It seems Chinese automakers just can't get enough of creating new brands under their portfolios. BYD is no different. It has unveiled another sub-brand under its already extensive list. After revealing the U8 and U9 models under its YangWang flagship, BYD has launched another automotive brand called Fang Cheng Bao which is focused on SUVs, and their first model is the Leopard 5.

Launched before its public debut at the 2023 Chengdu Auto Show scheduled for next week, the Leopard 5 is a boxy SUV that benefits from a turbocharged plug-in hybrid powertrain. It also has a ladder-frame architecture and a 4WD system that helps it cover almost any terrain.

Starting with its looks, the Leopard 5 seems to have taken inspiration from the recently revealed 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (AKA Land Cruiser 250) although this might have just been pure coincidence. From its boxy profile, squared wheel arches, distinct LED headlights & headlights, rear spare tire carrier, aluminum skid plates, and rugged off-road proportions, the Leopard 5 looks ready for any terrain. Did we mention it also comes with 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich A/T tires?

Size-wise, the Leopard 5 spans 4890mm long, 1970mm wide, 1920mm tall, and has a 2800mm wheelbase. This makes it slightly smaller than the all-new Land Cruiser 250.

At the heart of the Leopard 5 is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine assisted by a pair of electric motors. Fang Cheng Bao claims it has a combined system output of 680 PS along with a hefty 760 Nm of torque. Power goes to all four wheels via a 4WD system complete with three differential locks.

A BYD Blade battery that's rated for 30 kWh allows for an electric-only range of around 125 km which is more than enough for the daily city route. On a full tank of gas and a fully-charged battery, however, the Leopard 5 claims to have a total range of 1,200 km.

If you're the kind who likes to go off-road, there's also a high-spec variant of the Leopard 5 that comes with the Cloud-P chassis technology. The suspension gets a height-adjustable hydraulic system derived from the YangWang U8 which makes for improved capability off the beaten path.

Would the Leopard 5 by BYD's Fang Cheng Bao make sense here in the Philippines? Chime in with your comments below.