BYD Leopard 8 Plug-In Hybrid SUV Patented In India
BYD now has four models on sale in India, all brought in as Completely Built Units (CBUs). We have now learnt that the carmaker has filed a patent for the Leopard 8 plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) SUV here. While this doesn’t guarantee an immediate market launch, it sure points to the possibility of BYD bringing this SUV to the Indian shores sometime in the future.
This patent filing was published in the journal dated April 24, 2026, and shows the design’s date of registration as 30/9/2024. The filing shows the various views of the SUV- all unchanged from those of the global model.
The BYD Leopard 8, also called the BYD Denza B8 and Fang Cheng Bao Bao 8 in some markets, is a full-size plug-in hybrid electric SUV. More accurately, it is a tech-heavy, high-performance off-roader with an advanced plug-in hybrid powertrain. BYD describes it s a shift from traditional hardcore SUVs toward ‘intelligent ruggedness’.
The Leopard 8’s design is based on the ‘starship’ philosophy. The front fascia has a semi-enclosed grille, U-shaped LED headlamp setup, a full-width LED light strip, and a rugged bumper. At the rear, we can also see a tailgate-mounted full-size spare wheel with a unique cover, Silver-finished rear bumper, and rectangular tail lamps,
Now, the dimensions. The leopard 8 measures 5,195 mm in length, 1,994 mm in width, and 1,905 mm in height, with roof rails. The wheelbase here is 2,920 mm. In international markets, the SUV is offered with 20-inch and 21-inch wheel options. Even in the stock form, it can tow up to 2.5 tonnes- a rare find in its segment.
Inside, the Leopard 8 has a tough, utilitarian layout that also feels fresh and modern. It gets a lot of physical buttons, strong grab handles and a solid-looking dashboard. In terms of equipment, it gets three screens including a 17.3-inch central touchscreen with BYD’s DiLink system.
The electronically controlled gear selector sits on the auxiliary console. This has in fact, become a signature design cue of the Fangchengbao lineup.
The biggest attraction on the Leopard 8 is its PHEV powertrain. It is based on the company’s advanced DMO electric off-road platform. The powertrain mates a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with two electric motors and a 36.8 kWh battery pack. The electric motors are placed one on each axle, delivering All Wheel Drive (AWD) experience.
The petrol engine alone can make 272hp, while the combined system output is around 550kW or 738hp and 760Nm. Despite its weight, this SUV can sprint from 0 to 100 kph in just 4.8 seconds. The battery pack also claims an electric-only range of 125 km, and supports fast charging as well.
The SUV also features BYD’s YunNian-P intelligent suspension system. It automatically adjusts ride height and damping based on road or terrain conditions. It improves ride quality on highways and off-roading abilities on terrains.
Even in safety, this SUV makes no compromise. It has scored five-star Australian NCAP safety rating.
The Indian automotive landscape is set to witness a shift towards hybrids. Several carmakers are rumoured to be readying plug-in hybrid products for our market. Some of these are already confirmed. If brought to India, the Leopard 8 SUV could potentially sit above the Jetour T2 that JSW is reportedly planning to launch here, with its ex-showroom prices and size.