As if Land Rover didn’t already have enough to worry about.
BYD’s new U.K. division has announced plans to bring over the Ti7 as its flagship for the country. So, why should Land Rover be concerned. Because the three-row SUV bears more than a passing similarity to one of its best-selling model, the Defender.
The Ti7 was released in China last year by BYD-owned Fangchengbao but will wear its parent company’s badge when it arrives in the U.K. The SUV doesn’t look identical to the Defender, but there are definite similarities in its boxy shape, strong lines, and hearty proportions. The automaker’s press release says the vehicle measures 203 inches in length, 79 inches wide, and 73 inches tall. With a footprint that large, its little surprise that it has room for three rows of seats inside. That also means that it will be able to comfortably sit up to seven adults, the most of any of BYD’s U.K. models so far.
The Ti7’s look may recall the Defender’s angular visage but that doesn’t mean it should be mistaken for a mere dupe. The automaker says the SUV will arrive with its Dual Mode Performance, or DM-P, plug-in hybrid powertrain. The cumbersomely named system consists of a 1.5-liter turbocharged gas engine and two electric motors. That’s about all we know about the powertrain as of now, though BYD did say the electric motors drive all four wheels, suggesting that one is positioned on the front axle and the other on the rear axle.
We may not know how powerful the British Ti7 will be, or how suited it will be for off-road fun, but it does sound like it’s quite zippy despite its considerable bulk. BYD promises the SUV can sprint from zero to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds, which is quite impressive for a three-row model. The company also says drivers should expect an electric-only range of 79 models, though that estimate is based on the more forgiving WLTP testing cycle.
BYD says more information regarding available specs and cost will be made available in the “coming weeks.” The Ti7 will never be able to match the Defender in terms of recognition, but if priced competitively enough, it wouldn’t be a huge shock to see it catch the attention of at least some SUV buyers out there.
