China’s BYD ute interior caught on camera

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A vehicle said to be the basis for BYD’s hybrid and electric ute in Australia has been spotted testing in China, revealing a high-tech interior with three screens.

A BYD plug-in hybrid SUV has been caught on camera testing in China – and is said to provide a clue to the interior of the company’s upcoming ute.

Known as the BYD FangChengBao SF in its home market and codenamed simply SF, this model is expected to serve as the foundation for BYD’s electric pick-up slated for release in Australia in 2024.

As with many Chinese car companies, BYD is developing both the SF SUV and ute under a different name.

This positioning, known as F-Brand, will reportedly offer a more expensive line-up of SUVs and utes. The SF off-roader is expected to be the first release.

While specific details are scarce, Car News China reports the vehicle will measure approximately 5 metres in length, with a 2850mm wheelbase, and will be built on heavy-duty body-on-frame chassis.

Through social media posts shared by user High turn youth-Hua Che Wei sir, images provide a glimpse of the new upscale interior.

The seats are trimmed with perforated leather upholstery, and the centre console appears to have numerous switches.

Above the console is a large infotainment display, flanked by two additional large displays for the driver and passenger.

In contrast to some automakers such as Ford and Tesla, who opt for a portrait-oriented screen layout, BYD has chosen a more conventional setup, resembling the triple-screen arrangement found in BYD’s Yanwang U8 SUV.

Despite its rumoured wheelbase rivalling that of larger four-wheel drive wagons, the rear of the BYD SF appears slightly less spacious, featuring a slightly smaller footwell than anticipated for a vehicle of this size. However, notably absent is a centre tunnel beneath the middle row, which usually compromises comfort for the middle passenger.

News sources from China claim the BYD SF will be equipped with a new plug-in hybrid system, capable of delivering up to 500kW and an ambitious 1200km driving range (measured against the China Light Duty Vehicle Test Cycle, which is not as stringent as WLTP testing).

The utility vehicle variant, already spotted during testing, is scheduled for a 2024 release in Australia, pending any delays. It remains unclear at this point if the SUV version will also make its way to Australia.

The post China’s BYD ute interior caught on camera appeared first on Drive.

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