BYD Registers Leopard 8 Hybrid SUV Design Patent In India Ahead Of Possible Launch

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has officially filed a design patent in India for its Leopard 8 plug-in hybrid SUV, signalling that the model’s introduction in the Indian market could be under consideration. The move is widely interpreted as an early regulatory step before a potential launch. The Leopard 8 is positioned as a premium, body-on-frame luxury off-roader and is already sold in global markets under BYD’s Fangchengbao Bao 8 and Denza B8 branding, both known for high-end hybrid SUV offerings.

The SUV’s design language is strongly focused on ruggedness and premium road presence, with a boxy and upright silhouette similar to traditional off-roaders. Its proportions place it in the full-size luxury SUV category, making it a direct rival to models like the Land Rover Defender 110. The patent images suggest that BYD has retained its global design identity for the Indian filing without major styling changes. This consistency indicates the company’s intent to position it as a global flagship product rather than a region-specific variant.

Dimensionally, the Leopard 8 is a large SUV measuring 5,195 mm in length, 1,994 mm in width, and 1,905 mm in height, riding on a 2,920 mm wheelbase. The front design features rectangular LED headlamps linked by a thin light bar, paired with a bold six-slat grille that enhances its aggressive stance. It also includes heavy-duty black cladding, a prominent silver skid plate, roof-mounted LiDAR sensors for advanced driver assistance systems, and strong roof rails that underline its off-road intent.

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At the rear, the SUV continues its utilitarian yet premium theme with a tailgate-mounted spare wheel, a flat rear windscreen, and rectangular tail lamps featuring distinctive C-shaped lighting signatures. The rear bumper is heavily cladded for durability and includes another skid plate element to reinforce its rugged positioning. Overall, the design reflects a blend of luxury SUV aesthetics and serious off-road capability, targeting buyers who want both style and utility in one package.

Inside, the Leopard 8 features a highly technology-focused and premium cabin layout designed to compete with luxury global SUVs. The dashboard is dominated by a triple-screen configuration consisting of a 12.3-inch driver display, a 17.3-inch central infotainment screen, and a 12.3-inch passenger display. The centre console includes an aircraft-style gear selector, dual wireless charging pads, multiple physical buttons, ambient lighting, and an 18-speaker premium audio system. Seating options include 5-, 6-, and 7-seat layouts depending on market configuration.

Under the hood, the SUV uses a plug-in hybrid system combining a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 36.8 kWh BYD Blade lithium-iron-phosphate battery and dual electric motors. The combined output is rated at an impressive 748 hp and 760 Nm of torque, delivered through an e-CVT automatic gearbox with all-wheel-drive capability. Performance figures include a 0–100 kmph time of around 4.8 seconds, while the electric-only range is about 100 km and total range is claimed to reach up to 1,200 km under testing conditions. This setup positions the Leopard 8 as a high-performance hybrid SUV aimed at both luxury and capability-focused buyers.

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