BYD's Fangchengbao brand has launched its first sedans, the S and S GT, at a Shanghai event on September 16, according to Chinese outlet 电动邦 (Dian Dong Bang). The two models, priced from 189,900 to 239,900 yuan (about $26,700 to $33,800), mark a strategic shift for a brand previously known for SUVs and off-road vehicles.
The S is a traditional three-box sports sedan, while the S GT is a shooting brake with a hatchback rear. Both share a 2,960-mm wheelbase and BYD's YunNian suspension technology, but are aimed at different lifestyles. The S measures 5,060 mm in length, while the S GT is 5,025 mm long, or 5,095 mm with an optional tow hook. The GT offers more cargo flexibility, with a 537-litre boot that can be expanded to a flat sleeping space measuring 2,018 mm by 1,010 mm when the rear seats are folded.
Three suspension choices, one price
Fangchengbao is offering buyers a choice of three suspension setups at no extra cost within the same range version. The entry-level 730-km rear-drive model comes with YunNian C, while mid and high trims can be specified with either YunNian A or YunNian M. YunNian M is a magnetorheological system with a 1-millisecond response time, while YunNian A uses air springs with a 45-mm adjustment range.
Performance figures are strong for the segment. The all-wheel-drive version produces 490 kW (about 666 hp) and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, while the rear-drive version does the sprint in 5.8 seconds. The cars feature double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, with staggered tyres for sharper turn-in and rear grip.
Inside, the S series offers a 20-speaker Devialet audio system, a 6.9-litre compressor fridge, and seats with ventilation, heating and massage. The infotainment system, called Smart Ecosystem 2.0, includes open interfaces for accessories such as a customisable smart dial and a PIN-port display. Apple CarPlay is standard, as is BYD's God's Eye B advanced driver assistance suite, which includes over 30 functions covering highway and parking scenarios.
Safety and battery credentials
Fangchengbao emphasises a four-layer safety concept. The S series features a steel-aluminium cage body with about 85% high-strength materials, including 2,000-MPa hot-formed steel, and 11 airbags. The battery is BYD's second-generation Blade battery, which the company claims can charge from empty to full in 9 minutes under normal conditions, or 12 minutes at minus 30 degrees Celsius.
The brand also offers a safety guarantee: for one year after delivery, Fangchengbao will cover repair and loss costs for accidents involving the urban navigation and intelligent parking systems. The vehicle warranty is 6 years or 150,000 km, with lifetime coverage for the battery, motor and electronic control on non-commercial vehicles.
The S is offered in five trims from 189,900 to 229,900 yuan, while the S GT comes in four trims from 219,900 to 239,900 yuan, with a 3,000-yuan option for the tow hook. Launch incentives include a free 18,000-yuan configuration package, 0-interest financing options, and one year of free fast charging. Fangchengbao says it has accumulated 500,000 users in three years, with its Ti 7 SUV surpassing 250,000 sales, providing a base for the new sedan line.
The S series enters a crowded mid-size pure electric sedan market in China, competing with established models from Tesla, Xpeng and others. Fangchengbao's dual-body strategy and suspension flexibility give it a distinct pitch, but the brand will need to prove itself on delivery quality and after-sales service to convert its product strengths into sustained sales.
