Latest news with #FangchengbaoChina
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Report: Denza tipped to bring flagship B8 SUV to South Africa
Known as the Fangchengbao Boa 8 in China, the B8 uses a plug-in hybrid powertrain with two electric motors and a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine making 550 kW. BYD-owned Denza has released specification details of the export market B8 destined for the Middle East and African markets. What is it? The rebadged version of the Chinese domestic market Fangchengbao Bao 8, the B8 rides on the same Dual Mode Offroad body-on-platform as the BYD Shark bakkie, with dimensions of 5 195 mm in overall length, a wheelbase of 2 920 mm, width of 1 994 mm and height of 1 875 mm. Currently only the second Fangchengbao model to be badged as a Denza, the other being the Bao 5 that will be called Denza B5, the Bao 8 provides seating for four, five, six or seven in China, though the B8 is likely to offer the latter pair only. ALSO READ: Denza's entry: Two additional models South Africa could get Similar to the B5, the B8 comes equipped with BYD's Disus-P hydraulic adaptive air suspension that increases ground clearance from 220 mm to 310 mm. In the latter position, the B8 has an approach angle of 34-degrees and departure of 35-degrees. No details on its breakover angle were divulged. Packed spec.. and more Available in four trim levels in its home market, notable specification comprises the same three screen layout as the Bao 5/B5; a 17.3-inch infotainment and two 12.3-inch displays on the passenger side and for the instrument cluster. Also included is BYD's latest LiDAR system, an augmented reality Head-Up Display projected onto the windscreen, a Night Vision camera, no less than 14 airbags, a fragrance dispenser, Automatic Parking and an 18-speaker sound system. Interior is dominated by three displays. Image: Fangchengbao China As an option, the Chinese-market Bao 8 offers an unofficially titled drone package as part of a joint development with manufacturer, DJI Besides the actual drone itself, which can travel at up to 54 km/h, a docking station has been placed on the Bao 8's roof, complete with a charging system that require a waiting time of 30 minutes from 30-80%. Supercar power For the Bao 8 itself, motivation comes from a plug-in powertrain, but not modelled around the 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine as in the Bao 5/B5 and Shark. Instead, the setup uses BYD's 2.0-litre turbo-petrol working on conjunction with a 36.8-kWh Blade battery pack powering two electric motors. At just under 5.2 m long, the Bao 8/B8 can seat between four and seven. Image: Fangchengbao China As in the Bao, the B8 will use this configuration when it goes on-sale outside China, meaning the same combined output of 550 kW and 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds. The claimed all-electric range is 100 km and the combined, with the combustion engine included, 1 200 km. As well as low range and three locking differentials, the B8 also comes equipped with five off-road modes; Wading, Snow, Sand, Rock, Mud and Mountain. Coming? Priced from 379 800 to 407 800 yuan (R936 713 to R1 005 771) in China, with drone equipped variants ranging from 395 800 to 423 800 yuan (R976 175 to R1 045 232) the B8 has, reportedly, been confirmed for South Africa as a step-up from the B5. This, according to who allege export roll-out to start from the third quarter of the year in the the mentioned African and Middle East markets. According to a related post from CAR Magazine, local Denza operations will start early next year, headed by the B5, with the B8 likely to either follow later or arrive at the same time. As is stands, clarity will only emerge in 2026. ALSO READ: Speculation over: BYD-owned Denza coming to South Africa
The Citizen
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Speculation over: BYD-owned Denza coming to South Africa
Upscale brand will launch with a rebadged version of off-road sister brand Fangchengbao's Boa 5 plug-in hybrid SUV. Speculated at the beginning of the year as being another Chinese manufacturer heading to South Africa, a new report has confirmed BYD-owned Denza as, indeed, heading to market next year. Three-pointed star influence Founded as a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz 15 years ago, a complete line-up reshuffle five years ago resulted in Stuttgart reducing its stake in Denza, before being bought out last year. ALSO READ: BYD Sealion 7 priced as brand's new flagship EV crossover Soon to launch in key other right-hand-drive markets such as the United Kingdom and Australia, the brand, which specialises in electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, will reportedly launch a single product initially, before expanding its portfolio. First product coming According to CAR Magazine, the model in question will be a B5, a rebadged version of the Boa 5 sold under the Fangchengbao brand in China. Unveiled two years ago as the first Fangchengbao product, with the long wheelbase Boa 8 arriving the following year, the Boa 5/B5 rides on the same body-on-frame DMO or Dual Mode Offroad platform as the BYD Shark bakkie, with dimensions with 4 890 mm in overall length, a width of 1 970, height of 1 920 mm and wheelbase of 2 800 mm. Bao 5 or Denza B5 will ride on the same platform as the BYD Shark. Image: Fangchengbao China Sporting a ground clearance of 220 mm, the B5 can, however, be equipped with BYD's Disus-P hydraulic suspension developed for the YangWang division of ultra-luxury, performance vehicles, which raises its clearance to 310 mm. Offering an approach angle of 35-degrees and departure of 32-degrees, up front, the B5 uses the familiar combination of a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine combined with BYD's own battery pack driving two electric motors. Boa 5's interior sports three displays. Image: Fangchengbao China Similar in layout to the Shark, the battery pack outputs 31.8-kWh, with the front motor producing 200 kW and the rear 285 kW. Combined with the petrol engine's 135 kW, the Boa 5/B5 develops a combined 505kW/760Nm, resulting in a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds. Supporting DC charging up to 100 kW will require a waiting time of 16 minutes from 30-80%, with the claimed EV range being 125 km according to China's CLTC measuring system. With the petrol engine included, Denza reports a total range of 1 200 km. In terms of spec, the Chinese market Boa 5 comes equipped with three displays; a 15.6-inch infotainment, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch on the passenger side. Three-row Boa 8 could, possibly, also arrive in South Africa. Image: Fangchengbao China Retaining the same centre console as the Shark with physical buttons and switchgear, the B5/Boa 5 also sports a Head-Up Display projected onto the windscreen, three locking differentials and a Devialet sound system. Priced from 289 800 yuan to 352 800 yuan in China, which amounts to a directly converted R721 499 to R878 489, stickers for the South African B5 remains unknown at present. Other products likely Aside from the Boa 5/B5, other models line-up for South Africa could include the newly launched N9 SUV, the D9 MPV and possibly the Z9 that will spearhead its operations in Europe, along with the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo fastback estate-styled Z9 GT. As mentioned, full plans about Denza's market launch will only come to the fore next year. Additional information from Denza China, NOW READ: Plug-in hybrid BYD Sealion 6 lands in South Africa
