Top News

BYD has launched the Ti7 in the UK as the Chinese car maker’s largest model yet, with prices starting at £47,995.

In terms of size, it sits between the 110 and 130 versions of the rival Land Rover Defender, while also undercutting the British 4x4 as well as petrol-powered versions of the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3.

The Ti7 is the first model bound for the UK to feature the Chinese brand’s new performance-oriented ‘DM-p’ plug-in hybrid powertrain.

This set-up combines a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine, two electric motors - one on each axle - and a 35.6kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack.

Together, the system delivers 402bhp, enabling a 0-62mph sprint in 4.8sec and an electric-only range of 74 miles.

The Ti7’s chunky design draws clear inspiration from traditional 4x4s such as the Defender and Toyota Land Cruiser, with upright surfaces, squared-off styling and a spare wheel carrier mounted on the tailgate.

It will be sold in the UK under the BYD badge, but in effect it is a larger sibling to the Denza Bao 5, which is also scheduled to arrive here later this year.

In its home market of China, both the Bao 5 and the Ti7 are sold under BYD’s more premium, youth-focused Fangchengbao marque.

When asked why the Ti7 is not being sold as a Denza, a spokesperson for BYD UK previously told Autocar that the distinction exists because the body-on-frame Bao 5 was conceived as an off-roader, whereas the monocoque Ti7 is aimed at buyers who want rugged styling without necessarily requiring off-road ability.

In China, the Ti7 is also available with a battery-electric powertrain that is compatible with BYD’s ‘Flash’ chargers, which can deliver charging speeds of up to 1500kW.

A network of 300 of these chargers is due to be installed in the UK this year to support the launch of the Denza Z9 GT, although it has not yet been confirmed whether the fully electric Ti7 will also be offered here.

Customer deliveries of the Ti7 are set to begin in January.