BYD has launched its first fully electric off-roader under the Fang Cheng Bao brand. The new model called Tai 3 will also feature a drone launch pad, with prices starting at $A30,500.
At an event overnight in China, the world’s fastest growing car brand launched the mid-sized, rugged looking SUV, featuring the company’s latest tech, including its e-platform 3.0 Evo+.
This platform will allow multiple off-road drive modes including snow, mud and mountains, providing owners with an ease of selection through the dedicated switches found inside the cabin.
On the battery front, this model will come equipped with BYD’s lithium iron phosphate (LFP) blade batteries with capacities of 72.9 and 78.7 kWh.
The higher capacity pack of found in the special edition variant with the roof-mounted drone carrier system.
All these are good for 501 km of CLTC range which is likely to be closer to 420 km on the WLTP cycle more commonly used in Australia.
Charging speeds on the model also top out at an impressive 237 kW, allowing the car to charge from 30-80% in 18 minutes.
Powering it will be a dual-motor powertrain, able to deliver up to 310 kW of power, splitting it to 200 kW at the rear and the remaining 110 kW peek power at the front motor.
This powertrain will launch the car to 100 km/h from a standstill in just 4.9 seconds, which is quicker than the recently launched BYD Shark 6 ute.
On the outside, it has looks of a slightly curved off-roader, with its unibody underpinnings that’s typical of family SUVs instead of body on frame design used by most serious off-roaders.
The new SUV will come in slightly smaller than the Sealion 7 the brand launched locally in February, with the Tai 3 coming in at 4.6 metres in length.
Moving onto the inside and the Tai 3 takes inspiration from the rugged Shark 6 ute’s interior with having a nice array of physical buttons in the centre console.
These are found right next to the gear selector which appears fairly chunky and adds to the rugged feel on the inside.
Like most BYD models, there is also a rotatable large infotainment screen in the middle, ideal for viewing all external camera angles on an off road trail or just parking in tight spaces.
On the autonomous technology front, BYD’s new God’s Eye system will make it to this model too, delivering better smart driving features for owners.
Along with this tech, the Tai 3 brings a DJI drone platform that can be configured to be on the roof for ease of use during drone photography with the car acting like a home base for the drone camera.
The new Tai 3 has a much lower starting price than that expected from an off-road like electric vehicle, making it very appealing to customers looking for a family SUV that offers rugged looks and off-road capabilities.
The model will begin deliveries this month and is expected to help BYD conquer a new yet growing segment in the market.
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.
Tom and Joy from Ludicrous Feed take a close look at all the mid-sized electric…
Volvo accelerates plans to build heavy electric trucks in Australia after a record order of…
Foton to introduce new 8.5-tonne and 18-tonne electric trucks to its Australian lineup in the…
Xpeng's sleekest model yet, revealed in new pictures ahead of imminent launch.
Tesla Australia boss Thom Drew on the release of the new Model Y, and supercharger…
Skoda revealed pricing and details of its new Elroq compact SUV, its lowest cost EV…