BYD spinoff reveals electric sports car, rugged SUV concepts

Fang Cheng Bao – one of Chinese car giant BYD’s many spinoff brands – has revealed a pair of unique electric concept vehicles, both expected to enter production in the coming years.

Car News China reports Fang Cheng Bao unveiled the electric sports car concept and rugged SUV show car at its annual Spring Conference, with plans to eventually make both models available to the general public.

The electric sports car is called the Super 9 concept, though the publication suggests it’ll be renamed as the Bao 9 when it eventually reaches production.

Designed by Wolfgang Egger – who has previously worked as a chief designer for SEAT, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Audi and Lamborghini – the Super 9 is a sleek roadster without a roof but with a pair of scissor doors.

Its cabin is also not dissimilar to classic mid-20th century race cars, with the driver and passenger compartments divided – while two small bubbles above the dash serve as the windscreens.

Though it’s reported to be a fully electric vehicle, Fang Cheng Bao hasn’t yet indicated any drivetrain details.

Also revealed was the Super 3 SUV, making its debut after first being teased last year.

Its profile is stocky, with pronounced wheel arches, large wheels and boxy lines, giving it a point of difference compared to the smaller BYD Atto 3 sold in Australia.

It features flush-mounted door handles, as well as cameras where the exterior mirrors are normally located.

As with the Super 9, it’s expected the Super 3 will eventually reach production as the Bao 3 and with an electric drivetrain, unlike the larger Bao 5 plug-in hybrid SUV – the brand’s inaugural model.

According to Car News China, production of the even bigger Bao 8 is due to begin imminently, however the brand is yet to confirm if its power comes from a plug-in hybrid or range-extender drivetrain.

EVDirect, the Australian distributor of BYD, hasn’t announced plans to launch the Fang Cheng Bao brand in local showrooms, though the Yangwang spinoff has previously been tipped for a Down Under berth.

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