Fangchengbao’s latest EV is more than just an offroad SUV

Fangchengbao (registered in English as Formula Bao), a BYD electric vehicle brand focused on SUVs, has rolled out its latest model, the Bao 8. Unveiled on November 12, this SUV—developed in collaboration with Huawei—pairs rugged durability with Huawei’s Qiankun 3.0 smart driving technology, positioning it as a contender that merges offroad grit with city comfort.

Priced from RMB 379,800 (USD 53,172), the Bao 8 undercuts the Great Wall Motor’s Tank 700 by a substantial margin. Where the Tank 700 starts at RMB 428,000 (USD 59,920), the Bao 8 tops out at RMB 407,800 (USD 57,092), making affordability part of its allure. But the price is just the start. With Huawei’s advanced Qiankun system, Bao 8 drivers can rely on a suite of intelligent features for urban navigation, highway cruising, and automated parking—features typically uncommon in offroad-focused vehicles.

Why would an offroad SUV need such smart driving capabilities? The reality is that offroad SUVs, despite their adventure-ready looks, spend most of their time on city roads. Offroaders like the Bao 8 may be built for wilderness excursions, but 90% of their miles come from navigating urban streets where features like navigation and parking assistance are invaluable. Fangchengbao’s approach acknowledges this reality, appealing to drivers seeking both toughness and technology.

The Bao 8 isn’t Fangchengbao’s only launch this year, either. In a show of rapid growth, the brand debuted several models ahead of the Auto China expo in Beijing, including the compact Bao 5 and concept models like the Bao 3 (Super 3) and Super 9. These releases underscore Fangchengbao’s strategy of blending offroad resilience with refined styling, mirroring the trajectory of Yangwang, BYD’s high-end brand.

In a recent interview with 36Kr, Fangchengbao general manager Xiong Tianbo laid out the brand’s broader vision: “From the start, Fangchengbao has been about specialization, not just offroading. We’re committed to delivering advanced technology across specific vehicle categories, supporting two product lines.” With the Bao 8, Fangchengbao rounds out its SUV lineup, presenting an offroad vehicle that’s as versatile in cityscapes as it is on trails.

Performance to rival the terrain

At 5.2 meters in length, the Bao 8 commands attention with its bold, boxy silhouette—a design that means business. Under the hood, it combines a 2.0T engine with dual electric motors for a plug-in hybrid setup delivering 550 kilowatts and 760 newton-meters of torque. The result? Going from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in just 4.8 seconds, a feat few offroaders can match.

BYD has also integrated a hybrid offroad mode into the Bao 8, tailored for its “dual mode offroad” (DMO) platform. At the launch, BYD’s director of new technology, Yang Dongsheng, demonstrated the vehicle’s ability to handle steep terrains, tackling a 100% incline and even reversing up a 70% slope. This feature will be available by November 30 for Bao 8 owners, with an over-the-air update by December for Bao 5.

Adding to its offroad credentials, the Bao 8 includes Yunnian-P, an adaptive suspension system that scans road conditions in real time, adjusting height and dampening for smooth transitions between bumpy trails and city streets. The feature, seen on BYD’s Yangwang U8, aims to eliminate the stiffness typical in offroaders, promising a seamless ride on varied surfaces.

City convenience with a rugged edge

Fangchengbao aims to bridge the gap between offroad prowess and family-friendly practicality with the Bao 8. The SUV comes in six- and seven-seat configurations, appealing to families needing both space and style. Marketing emphasizes its spaciousness with phrases like “room for a fridge, TV, and sofa”—a nod to Chinese consumers’ preference for roomy, versatile interiors.

This trend aligns with other market players. Great Wall Motor’s Haval H9 and Tesla’s latest Model 3 have both tapped into the family-oriented offroad segment, reshaping what SUVs can offer. With fuel efficiency of 8.5 liters per 100 km in hybrid mode, the Bao 8 combines adventure with practicality, giving consumers an efficient, spacious option for both city commutes and weekend getaways.

Inside, the Bao 8 offers a high-tech cabin with a central display and copilot screen synced via BYD’s DiLink 150 system, complete with artificial intelligence integration. The SUV also mirrors Xiaomi SU7’s buzzworthy feature that identifies nearby vehicles and landmarks, adding a touch of futuristic utility.

Smart driving is standard with Huawei’s tech

Traditional offroad icons—the Prado, Land Cruiser, Patrol, Wrangler—don’t exactly come to mind when you think of smart driving tech. They are built for grit and rugged trails, not for the polished appeal of self-driving capabilities. So, is there room for tech-forward features in an offroad SUV? Fangchengbao thinks so, and the numbers back it up.

Not all offroad buyers are wilderness diehards. In fact, Great Wall Motor found that women made up nearly 30% of preorders for its Tank 300. The appeal of today’s offroaders spans diverse groups looking for both strength and convenience, and even the most adventurous SUVs spend over 90% of their mileage on urban and highway roads. This is where smart driving can shine: intelligent navigation and automated driving assistance conserve a driver’s energy, so they are fresh for the real offroad work when it begins.

The Bao 8 integrates Huawei’s Qiankun system—a feature that has already proven itself on models like the Luxeed and Aito series, the Stelato S9, and Voyah Dream. And according to Huawei vice president Chi Linchun, the system made its way from drawing board to production with BYD in under a year.

With Qiankun onboard, the Bao 8 offers point-to-point navigation, smart handling of toll gates and roundabouts, and automated parking, even when the driver’s out of the car. This is no gimmick. While the Bao 8 was built for the rough road, it’s clear that Fangchengbao knows it will log most of its hours on city streets, where features like these keep drivers coming back.

In China’s evolving offroad market, where BYD’s competitors are sticking to conventional designs, the Bao 8 signals a different approach. Combining electric power and smart tech, it’s built as much for the daily drive as it is for the trail.

Fangchengbao’s bet on a high-tech offroader seems to be working: its first model, the Bao 5, achieved over 42,000 cumulative sales since November and over 6,000 in October alone. It’s a strong foothold, and with 300 stores in 133 Chinese cities—surpassing brands like Jiyue—Fangchengbao is showing momentum.

Starting at RMB 379,800, the Bao 8 supports Fangchengbao’s growing lineup and brings a new vitality to China’s offroad market. The brand’s tech-meets-tough strategy is not only working—it’s setting Fangchengbao up to reshape expectations of what offroad SUVs can offer.

KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This article was written by Han Yongchang for 36Kr.

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