BYD Leopard 8 Patented in India: 737 bhp PHEV SUV with 1,200 km Range & V2V Charging

The BYD Leopard 8 has officially been patented in India, signalling that the Chinese automaker is preparing a serious PHEV offensive for the Indian market. Sold under BYD's rugged sub-brand Fang Cheng Bao, the Leopard 8 is no ordinary SUV, it is a 737 bhp, 5.2-meter plug-in hybrid off-roader with a 1,200 km combined range, V2V and V2L bidirectional charging, LiDAR, 14 airbags, and an 18-speaker Devialet audio system. If it reaches India in production form, it will be unlike anything currently on sale in the segment.

What Is the BYD Fang Cheng Bao Leopard 8?

Fang Cheng Bao is BYD's lifestyle and adventure-focused sub-brand, positioned to compete with rugged, premium off-road SUVs globally. The Leopard 8 is its flagship product, a large, boxy, five-seater PHEV SUV built for both serious off-road duty and long-distance touring.

Key identity markers at a glance:

• Brand: BYD, under sub-brand Fang Cheng Bao
• The body style of the vehicle has a boxy design which creates an upright appearance and it can accommodate five passengers as a rugged SUV.
• The vehicle operates using a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powertrain system.
• Platform: DMO+ Electric Drive Off-Road Pioneering Platform
• Current market: China (now India-patented)
• India status: Patented in 2026, production launch unconfirmed

The India patent filing places the BYD Leopard 8 alongside a growing list of Chinese PHEV SUVs, including the Chery Jetour T2, Jaecoo J7 SHS, and Rox Adamas, that are actively eyeing the Indian rugged SUV space.

DMO+ Platform & Powertrain: The Numbers That Shock

The BYD Leopard 8 uses the DMO+ Electric Drive Off-Road Pioneering Platform which BYD developed as its exclusive foundation to create vehicles that deliver exceptional off-road performance through electric power systems. This is not a repurposed passenger car platform.

Powertrain Specifications

The rear motor alone produces 402 bhp,  more than most performance cars sold in India. Paired with two electronic differential locks, the Leopard 8 possesses genuine off-road credentials that go well beyond the cosmetic ruggedness of most lifestyle SUVs.

The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol ICE unit works in concert with the dual electric motors, ensuring the vehicle never runs purely on depleted batteries during extended off-road or highway use, a critical advantage over pure EVs in range-anxious markets like India.

Battery, Range & Charging: 1,200 km and Bidirectional

There is no getting over how great the energy storage and charging on the BYD Leopard 8 is compared to the powertrain.

The 36 kWh BYD Blade LFP battery supports 120 kW DC fast charging and enables the Leopard 8 to cover approximately 1,200 km on a combined charge and fuel cycle, a figure that addresses India's long-distance highway driving reality far better than any pure EV.

The inclusion of Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) reverse charging is a segment first for the Indian market. This means the Leopard 8 can actively share charge with another compatible EV, a feature no current rugged SUV in India offers. Combined with V2L capability for powering external devices, the Leopard 8 doubles as a mobile power station.

The large 91-litre fuel tank capacity enables drivers to travel long distances without experiencing range anxiety, which provides a significant benefit for adventure touring and highway driving and off-road driving in remote areas throughout India.

Features & Technology: Flagship-Grade Everything

The BYD Leopard 8's interior offers a feature set that is on a par with top-end, firmly budgeted luxury SUVs.

Infotainment & Connectivity

• 17.3-inch central infotainment touchscreen which is one of the largest in any SUV globally
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch passenger entertainment screen
• Screen behind front seats for rear passenger entertainment
• Head-Up Display (HUD)
• Huawei HiCar wireless connectivity (China-spec)
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (India-spec expected)

Comfort & Interior

• Powered front seats with memory function
• Massage, lumbar support, heating and ventilation in front row
• Multiple interior colour options
• Roof rack for adventure accessory mounting
• 18-speaker Devialet audio system, which is one of the most premium sound setups in any SUV at any price
• Night vision system, rare at any segment level in India

Safety: 14 Airbags and LiDAR

The BYD Leopard 8 brings a safety specification that exceeds virtually every SUV currently on sale in India.

The Leopard 8 achieves superior environmental detection abilities through LiDAR which serves as a laser-based detection system that automotive companies use for their self-driving vehicles. The Leopard 8 China specification model protects passengers through its 14 airbags and Huawei ADS 3.0 ADAS system which establishes new safety standards for its vehicle category.

Where BYD Stands in PHEV SUV Patent Race in India?

The BYD Leopard 8 joins a rapidly growing list of PHEV SUVs that have been patented or spotted in India. The Indian market now shows a shift in industry standards which supports the development of hybrid vehicles that can operate in off-road conditions for extended distances.

How BYD Leopard 8 Could Stack Up in India

The BYD Leopard 8 outperforms its closest competitors across all measurable aspects including power and range and technological capabilities and safety features and additional specifications.

Conclusion

The BYD Leopard 8 is not just another Chinese SUV filing a patent in India, it is a genuine statement of intent. The Leopard 8 introduces a new vehicle category to India which features 737 bhp of PHEV power and a 1,200 km total range and V2V and V2L charging capabilities and LiDAR and 14 airbags and an 18-speaker Devialet audio system. The most advanced off-road SUV which BYD plans to produce will become available in India as soon as the company decides to start manufacturing. The company will need to change its entire product strategy because The most advanced off-road SUV which BYD plans to produce will become available in India as soon as the company decides to start manufacturing.