BYD Leopard 8 Design Patent Filed In India

BYD has filed a design patent for its Leopard 8 in India. It was originally filed on 30 September in 2024 and received approval on April 24, 2026.

That said, it is not indicative of a confirmed launch, as it is only meant to protect the shape and styling of the vehicle.

However, if the Leopard 8 gets introduced, it would be BYD's first plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) in the country, where the brand currently only offers EVs - Sealion 7, Seal, eMax 7 and Atto 3.

Internationally, it is sold under BYD's two sub-brands, as the Fangchengbao Bao 8 and the Denza B8. Nonetheless, the Indian patent has been filed under the Leopard 8 name.

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BYD Leopard 8 Design, Interior & Powertrain

The patent design closely matches the globally sold Leopard 8, with no obvious differences. It looks like a seriously powerful off-roader with its boxy-heavy look, mainly due to the heavy cladding that runs around the car, along with a tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and upright proportions.

Specifically, the most useful global reference for India is the Denza B8, which has a body-on-frame chassis and a PHEV drivetrain. It produces a total output of 578 hp and 760 Nm, achieving 0-100 kmph in just 4.8 seconds, with a combined WLTC range of 905 km.

However, not all of these figures should be assumed to arrive unchanged with the Indian model.

A notable detail is the three LiDAR sensors that sit on the SUV's roof, which is a part of the Huawei’s Qiankun ADS 3.0 suite. It works in tandem with cameras and radar to enable features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping support, and collision avoidance.

Inside, the cabin features a triple-screen dashboard, consisting of a 17.3-inch touchscreen, supported by a 12.3-inch driver display and a 12.3-inch passenger screen.

This also includes a four-spoke steering wheel and a feature heavy console.

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BYD Leopard 8 Expected Rivals

The Leopard 8 if launched in the ₹70-90 lakh range in India, would likely rival the Land Rover Defender 110, which starts at around ₹80 lakh. Key difference is that the Defender is built on a monocoque D7x architecture rather than a body-on-frame chassis.

This is one way the Leopard 8 would likely differentiate itself, while also competing on off-road performance, safety and a feature rich interior.

Also Read – Best Luxury Cars Under ₹1 Crore On-Road

Image Source: IP India