BYD Challenges Land Rover Defender in the UK with the New B5 Plug-In Hybrid 4×4
BYD is set to shake up the UK market with its latest offering – the B5, a premium plug-in hybrid 4×4 that is poised to rival the iconic Land Rover Defender. Unveiled in China last year as the Bao 5, this Defender 110 competitor has now made its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and is slated for a showroom release early next year.
The B5 is part of BYD’s new SUV sub-brand Fangchengbao and will be rebranded as Denza in the UK, joining the premium brand’s Z9 GT shooting brake model in the market. Denza, a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz, is now fully owned by BYD.
Stella Li, president of BYD, expressed her confidence in the UK market for SUVs, stating that the Fangchengbao range is poised for success. “In the UK, the roads are narrow but we love these big SUV off-road cars, so Fangchengbao will be here,” she said, highlighting the popularity of large premium SUVs in the region.
While specific details about the B5’s specifications have not been confirmed, it is expected to retain its ‘DMO Super-Hybrid Off-Road’ ladder-frame platform and feature a plug-in hybrid system with a 1.5-liter turbo engine and electric motors on each axle. This powertrain is capable of delivering up to 677bhp and 561lb ft of torque, surpassing even the new V8 Octa Defender.
BYD’s foray into the UK market with the B5 marks a strategic move to diversify its powertrain offerings and tap into new segments. With the promise of competitive off-road capabilities and supercar levels of power, the B5 is poised to make a significant impact in the UK’s SUV market.
