BYD Tai 3 in Shanghai – Fangchengbao’s first EV, up to 421 PS, 501 km CLTC range; sold globally as Denza?

Recently launched in China, the Fangchengbao Tai 3 has made its first public appearance at Auto Shanghai 2025. This is the first fully-electric model from BYD’s off-road-focused brand, joining the Bao range of plug-in hybrid 4x4s.

“Tai” is the Chinese word for titanium, so it’s no surprise that the Tai 3 features a heavily-chiselled design that looks like it was inspired by an armoured personnel carrier. The most striking aspect is the flared fenders that have scalloped undersides to house the angular wheel arches.

The “pinched” flares frame a front end that features dual-bar LED daytime running lights (mirrored on the light strips on the door mirrors) and an upright grille, leading towards the trapezoidal bumper with body-coloured inserts. The latter can also be found at the rear, which also features slim taillights, a side-opening tailgate and a discrete storage box.

Inside, the Tai 3 is slightly more conventional, with elements taken from the Bao series such as the chunky steering wheel, a “tank” gear selector and crystalline toggles. The bridge-style centre console is rather unique, housing a flashlight on the driver’s side and a karaoke microphone on the passenger side.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a BYD product without all the tech, such as a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, DiSus-C adaptive dampers, God’s Eye C highly-automated highway driving and even an available DJI drone package. There’s also a 151 litre front boot, accessible through a button built into the grille.

As befits the name, the Tai 3 is the smallest model in Fangchengbao’s stable. Measuring 4,605 mm long, 1,900 mm wide and 1,720 mm tall, it’s 285 mm shorter, 70 mm narrower and 200 mm lower than the Bao 5, while its 2,745 mm wheelbase is 55 mm shorter. It’s also the first to feature a monocoque chassis, with MacPherson strut front and five-link rear suspension.

The Tai 3 is the first Fangchengbao model to be available in rear-wheel-drive form, with a single motor producing 218 PS (160 kW) and 310 Nm of torque, getting the car from zero to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 201 km/h.

The all-wheel-drive model adds a front motor churning out 150 PS (110 kW) and 200 Nm, resulting in a total system output of 421 PS (310 kW) and 510 Nm and a century sprint time of 4.9 seconds. Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery sizes of 65.28 kWh on the RWD car and 72.96 kWh with AWD both deliver a range of 501 km on China’s ridiculously lenient CLTC cycle, while a maximum DC fast charging input of 195 kW (RWD) or 215 kW (AWD) fill the battery from 30 to 80% charge in 18 minutes.

Prices start at 133,800 yuan (RM80,200) for the RWD model, rising up to 153,800 yuan (RM92,200) with AWD; add the drone package and the cost rises to 193,800 yuan (RM116,200). As with the Bao models, the Tai 3 could be sold internationally under the Denza brand, with its Bao 5 and Bao 8 siblings already tipped to be called the B5 and B8 respectively. However, the T3 name is unlikely, as it’s already been used on a BYD commercial van.

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