Having conquered mass-produced EVs and completed the game when it comes to creating the fastest car on the planet, the BYD Leopard 5 has now slapped down a challenge for the off-roader crown – by smashing a 45-degree incline climb.
BYD is set to dominate all corners of the automotive industry.
With its endless waves of new EVs coming from its assembly line in China, the company has now set its sights on the off-road niche.
And in a bid to prove it is a worthwhile competitor, the BYD Leopard 5 has been run through an incline test at the Shenzhen Auto Show, passing with flying colors.
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BYD Leopard 5 completes steep incline climb with ease
So far, Chinese EVs haven’t quite been able to master the off-roader category.
However, despite off-roaders being refined for decades, a slew of new cars is coming to try its hand.
One of these is the BYD Leopard 5, and its debut at the Shenzhen Auto Show this year saw it get a vigorous test.
While it’s not the only mark of what makes a great off-roader, an incline drive measures power and control, and the Chinese EV was the latest to tackle one.
As you can see in the video above, the BYD Leopard 5 was able to master the climb with ease.
Other off-roaders have excelled in these types of tests, such as the Ford Raptor and the Cybertruck that went side-by-side together.
But this statement puts the Leopard immediately into the conversation for great off-roaders.
It now just needs to take on the biggest test yet: time.
Key Features: BYD Leopard 5
Powertrain: Plug-in hybrid 1.5T engine and dual electric motors, producing 675 hpTop Speed: 111 mph
0–62 mph: 4.8 seconds
Drive Modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, Rock, Mud, Sand, and Mountain.
Starting Price: $32,000
How does it fare against other off-roaders?
Well, if we’re using incline driving as a metric for off-road efficiency, the BYD Leopard 5 does hold its own against some rather stellar competition.
However, there are a number of tried, tested, and frankly battered off-road SUVs that have proved their worth over and over again – reliability, after all, is the biggest selling point for a car like this.
Still, if incline tests are the bar, the Leopard might need a few more spots on its skin before it can live up to the GOAT that is the Toyota Land Cruiser.
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