BYD's sub-brand Fang Cheng Bao reveals the Leopard 5

Fang Cheng Bao's debutant, the Leopard 5 is ready to take the road. While we've been treated to little sneak peeks over the past few months, the sub-brand of BYD decided it was finally time to give EV enthusiasts and potential customers something to really mull over.

Fang Cheng Bao, a name that's definitely grown more familiar in recent times, showcased the exterior of their Leopard 5 to eager Chinese social media users. While not revealing everything at once, the company was kind enough to let us in on some delightful design details.

August 16 is the date to circle. That's when Fang Cheng Bao has chosen to divulge more about their brand and technology. BYD, not content with just targeting the sub-RMB 300,000 ($41,320) market, has ambitions reaching for the sky. Well, they're not alone. Every brand wants a piece of the premium pie, and why not? With other sub-brands like Denza and Yangwang in the fold, BYD seems to be on a mission to dominate every price point. The Leopard 5 is anticipated to fall somewhere between RMB 400,000 and RMB 600,000 or $51,000 to $76,000.

The word "leopard" comes from a combination of the Greek words for lion and panther - a spotty hybrid if you like. A hybrid name for a car that's itself exploring hybrid aesthetics? That sounds about right.

If Fang Cheng Bao's Leopard 5 is the main course, then consider Yangwang U8 the dessert. With pre-sales commencing on April 18 (deliveries to begin this month), the vehicle came in two distinct flavors (or editions, if you will) - the Premium Edition and the Off-road Master Edition. Priced at a cool RMB 1.098 million ($140,000), it's certainly a treat for those with a palate for luxury. Although the two brands are considered separate entities, we could look at the Leopard 5 as a smaller version of the Y8, certainly the two will share some technology.

So, is the Chinese EV market ready for another player? Is the Leopard 5 going to be the next big thing or just another face in the crowd? Only time will tell. But for now, all we can do is wait, speculate, and maybe scroll through Chinese social media channels for more tidbits. Here's hoping that the actual reveal lives up to the build-up.

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