Leopard 8: Smart Hybrid Power for Any Terrain

A Smart Hybrid Hardcore SUV Built for Every Scenario

For many drivers, daily life comes with a familiar contradiction. On weekdays, navigating narrow city streets and tight parking spaces makes a large vehicle feel intimidating. On weekends, when the urge to escape the city and head outdoors kicks in, those same drivers worry whether a conventional SUV can handle rough terrain and unpredictable conditions. It is precisely this tension that the Fangchengbao Leopard 8 aims to resolve.

Positioned as a “super hybrid hardcore off-roader,” the Leopard 8 sets out to become a true one-vehicle-for-everything solution—equally comfortable in the city, confident in the wilderness, and efficient enough for everyday use. The question is whether it can genuinely deliver on that promise. Let’s take a comprehensive look.

Big on Presence, Surprisingly Easy to Handle

At first glance, the Leopard 8’s over-five-meter body length immediately commands attention. Naturally, some drivers may wonder whether a vehicle of this size would feel cumbersome in urban environments. In practice, however, two key features dramatically reduce that concern: the transparent chassis system and the 540° panoramic camera view.

Together, they provide a near “X-ray vision” of the vehicle’s surroundings and the ground beneath it. Whether threading through older residential areas while searching for parking or navigating narrow width restrictors, the system gives the driver a clear and confident view, greatly reducing stress.

Practical details extend beyond visibility. Flush door handles help reduce aerodynamic drag while driving, improving overall efficiency. When parked, power-deployable side steps automatically extend, making entry and exit much easier—particularly for children and elderly family members. The split tailgate (“heaven-and-earth”) design adds another layer of convenience: the lower storage compartment can be opened independently, allowing quick access to small items without lifting the entire tailgate. It’s a small detail, but one that proves its value in daily use.

Running Costs: Hybrid Efficiency Without Compromise

At the heart of the Leopard 8 is BYD’s DM-O super hybrid system, which balances performance with efficiency. Under WLTC conditions, the vehicle offers 100 km of pure electric range, more than enough for daily commuting. In electric mode, running costs translate to roughly 0.1 RMB per kilometer, making everyday use remarkably economical.

When operating in a low-battery hybrid state, the Leopard 8 records a combined fuel consumption of 8.87 L/100 km, representing a more than 40% reduction compared with traditional gasoline-powered hardcore off-roaders. Charging performance is equally impressive. With support for 120 kW DC fast charging, the battery can be charged from 30% to 80% in just 16 minutes. Even in cold environments down to –10°C, charging remains efficient, reaching the same level in approximately 25 minutes—ensuring minimal disruption to daily routines.

Built for the Wild: Structural Strength and Off-Road Engineering

Once the pavement ends, the Leopard 8 truly begins to show its strengths. It is built on a body-on-frame architecture, with the frame constructed from 850 MPa ultra-high-strength steel, while critical load-bearing sections use 2,000 MPa hot-formed steel, accounting for 32% of the structure. This robust construction provides serious protection when the vehicle encounters heavy impacts off-road.

The Leopard 8 has also passed stringent “three extreme off-road tests,” validating its durability in real-world conditions.

Extreme Climbing and Articulation

During a 60° steep slope climb, the vehicle’s torque vectoring system reacts within 0.1 seconds, dynamically distributing power between the front and rear axles at a 7:3 ratio. Combined with a torsional rigidity of 38,000 N·m/°—a 45% improvement over conventional off-road vehicles—the body remains stable even under intense stress.

In cross-axle situations where one wheel lifts off the ground, the DiSus-P intelligent hydraulic body control system automatically extends suspension travel up to 140 mm. Body roll is kept within 8°, and the electronic limited-slip differential can free the vehicle with just three control pulses, allowing smooth and efficient recovery.

Confident Water Wading

The Leopard 8 can sustain 20 minutes of continuous driving in 1,000 mm-deep water. Its engine air intake is positioned 1,200 mm above ground, and the battery pack carries an IP68 protection rating, ensuring peace of mind even during heavy rain or flooded sections.

Powertrain Performance: Strong Everywhere, Even in Extreme Conditions

Power comes from a longitudinally mounted 1.5T high-output engine (with a 43% thermal efficiency) combined with front and rear electric motors. Total system output reaches 550 kW, with 760 N·m of torque, enabling 0–100 km/h acceleration in 4.8 seconds—an exceptional figure for a hardcore off-road SUV.

The system has been extensively tested in extreme environments. In –25°C cold-start conditions, the battery pre-heating system raises cell temperature to 20°C within 15 minutes, achieving an 82% pure-electric range retention, outperforming the segment average of 75%. At 4,500 meters above sea level, power loss in hybrid mode is limited to 12%, compared with around 25% for traditional gasoline off-roaders. The electric motors’ strong low-rpm torque ensures confident performance even at high altitude.

Interior: Hardcore Character Meets Premium Comfort

Inside, the Leopard 8 blends rugged design with refined craftsmanship. The front seats are upholstered in perforated Nappa leather with diamond quilting, delivering both visual elegance and excellent breathability. Multi-layer high-density foam provides strong lumbar and shoulder support, while the 520 mm seat cushion length—30 mm longer than that of the Tank 500—improves thigh support by 15%.

Testing shows that after four hours of continuous driving, lumbar pressure is reduced by 28% compared with traditional off-road vehicles. The seats offer 12-way power adjustment, three memory settings, heating, ventilation, and eight massage modes, creating a genuinely relaxing long-distance driving experience.

Spacious Seating for All Rows

Second-row seats feature leather upholstery and electrically adjustable backrests ranging from 10° to 32°, along with a 180 mm extendable leg rest. Even passengers standing 185 cm tall can find a comfortable posture. The third row comfortably accommodates passengers under 170 cm, and when folded, expands cargo capacity to 1,500 liters, forming a flat load floor. Side anchor points and hidden compartments help secure and organize cargo.

A 256-color ambient lighting system adapts to drive modes or music rhythms, adding personality to the cabin environment.

Technology and Entertainment

The cabin centers around a 15.6-inch floating touchscreen running the DiLink 150 intelligent cockpit, supporting seven-screen interaction and 5G connectivity. The system’s six-zone voice recognition can process simultaneous commands from different occupants. In testing, commands such as “navigate to Everest Base Camp” and “activate seat massage” were correctly split and executed within 0.5 seconds.

The front passenger entertainment screen supports direct projection from devices such as a Nintendo Switch and includes a controller charging dock—ideal for long journeys.

An 18-speaker Devialet audio system, paired with active noise cancellation, delivers clear and immersive sound. A 7-liter dual-zone compressor refrigerator in the center armrest operates between –6°C and 50°C, capable of chilling drinks or warming baby food—another nod to family-oriented design.

Intelligent Driving Assistance: On-Road and Off-Road Intelligence

The Leopard 8 is equipped with Huawei Qiankun ADS 3.0, supporting highway NOA navigation assist and automated parking. Its infrared night-vision system can detect obstacles up to 300 meters ahead, working alongside LiDAR and high-definition cameras to improve safety in darkness, rain, or fog.

In off-road scenarios, the system can recognize 20 types of obstacles, such as shell craters and camel humps, automatically recommending suspension settings and route planning—extending intelligent assistance beyond paved roads.

How It Stacks Up

Compared with competitors, the Leopard 8’s P2 + P4 dual-motor layout enables true electric four-wheel drive, allowing more flexible torque distribution and reduced wheel slip on wet or loose surfaces. Huawei ADS 3.0 shows clear advantages in off-road assistance, while the hydraulic suspension delivers more refined vibration filtering on paved roads, noticeably softer over speed bumps than air-suspension systems used by rivals.

Choosing the Right Version

• Hardcore off-road enthusiasts may prefer the top “Expedition” configuration, with optional front differential lock and all-terrain tires, fully exploiting DiSus-P’s adjustable suspension and Huawei ADS off-road modes.
• Family adventure users will find the mid-level configuration sufficient for full-load travel and camping gear.
• Urban luxury-focused drivers may lean toward the entry configuration, which offers a quiet and comfortable pure-electric driving experience for daily use.

Potential buyers should note that the vehicle’s size can be challenging in older neighborhoods, cold-climate users are advised to consider battery insulation options, and the hydraulic suspension requires fluid replacement approximately every 40,000 km.

Final Thoughts

The Fangchengbao Leopard 8 represents a meaningful evolution in the hardcore off-road segment. By combining intelligent hybrid technology with genuine multi-scenario capability, it offers a compelling answer to the “one vehicle for everything” challenge. Still, personal needs vary—so a thorough test drive, especially on unpaved terrain, is strongly recommended to fully experience its suspension response and intelligent systems before making a final decision.