BYD, the world's largest electric vehicle manufacturer, owns several subsidiary brands. Its Fang Cheng Bao marque, known in some markets as "Leopard," historically specialized in off-road electric vehicles. However, with the launch of the Formula S sedan, it is now targeting the affordable urban EV and road-trip segments.
The Formula family is expected to eventually include at least three models, but only two have entered the Chinese market so far. The coupe-like liftback Formula S resembles the Tesla Model 3 in profile and will be offered in China starting at $27,900 for the rear-wheel-drive version with a CLTC range of 730 km. There are five trim levels for the Formula S, differing not only in battery capacity and drive type but also in active suspension type. It can be either pneumatic with adaptive dampers (DiSus-A) or hydraulic with magnetorheological fluid-filled dampers (DiSus-M). There is no price difference between the suspension options, so buyers can choose based on their own test drive impressions or reviews.
Rear-wheel-drive versions of the Formula S can be equipped with a single motor producing 329 or 402 hp, while all-wheel-drive versions have two motors with a combined 657 hp. Battery capacity options are 76.7 kWh and 92 kWh, with range varying between 730, 750, and 900 km depending on drive type and battery version. These figures are for the Chinese CLTC cycle, which is overly optimistic for real-world conditions even in summer. The car's drag coefficient does not exceed 0.25, which should contribute to energy efficiency while driving.
At the same time, the Formula S GT is entering the Chinese market—a sporty hatchback with a claim to long range, sharing its platform with the regular Formula S and offered in only four variants. Rear-wheel-drive versions with 402 hp start at $32,000 in China and provide a CLTC range of 850 km, while all-wheel-drive versions at $35,200 can travel only 730 km without recharging. Suspension choice is also available at no extra cost. This model comes only with a 92 kWh battery. It belongs to the second-generation Blade family, enabling a charge from 10% to 70% in 5 minutes, and reaching 97% takes just four minutes more.
The God's Eye B driver assistance system provides not only automatic parking but also partial autonomous driving within and outside city limits, even allowing the car to independently avoid obstacles on the road. A lidar adds further confidence in the autopilot's reliability by detecting objects and their speeds at long distances and in low-visibility conditions. Thrill-seekers may enjoy the drift mode, in which the rear-wheel-drive version manages traction and steering angle itself. The car's length exceeds five meters in both versions, with a wheelbase of 2960 mm. Competitors to the new Fang Cheng Bao models include the Xiaomi SU7 and YU7, as well as the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.
