Toyota’s LandCruiser is going hybrid this decade, but it might not be the first battery-assisted off-roader you see around the muddy traps in the near future.
What appears to be a rival to the likes of the LandCruiser, the Land Rover Defender, and even the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is set to be revealed by BYD, the brand responsible for one of the most popular electric cars in Australia, the Atto 3.
Currently known as the SF internally, the new off-road 4×4 from BYD will have more power than a Mercedes-AMG G63, will have a four-digit driving range, and will be joined by other tougher models including rugged SUVs and utes.
As reported by Chinese auto media such as Car News China, the SF will be a sibling to a model called the U8 from BYD’s luxury brand YangWang, the U8 being a rival to the likes of the Mercedes EQS SUV.
But where the U8 is an electric car, the SF will be powered by a hybrid combustion engine, which brand insiders have told Autocar will produce as much as 500kW.
Further, the expected total driving range for a full tank as well as a fully charged battery is anticipated to exceed 1200km.
Currently known as the SF internally, the new off-road 4×4 from BYD will have more power than a Mercedes-AMG G63.Built on a ladder frame chassis, the SF will have front, centre and rear differential locks, with power driving all four wheels, with variable delivery between axles and rear torque vectoring.
Further specifications are yet to be determined, but officials tell Autocar its length is approximately 5000mm and it rides on a wheelbase of about 2850mm.
The BYD SF is set to be the launching point of a new ‘F’ series or sub-brand, which will comprise some of the marque’s more work or off-road focused vehicles, and could include the ute that’s been recently seen testing in camouflage.
Keyword: China takes hybrid off-road! BYD's hybrid 4x4 to launch in 2024 and rival Toyota LandCruiser and Land Rover Defender