After having taken the mass market EV segment by storm, it appears that China is now poised to take on the electric sports car market next
While EV hypercars haven’t exactly lit the market on fire (I’m looking at you Rimac Nevera), EV sports cars might just be the category to watch out for. Think about it, Porsche is grappling with supply chain issues for its upcoming 718 EV, and the 911 EV is still some time away. Meanwhile, Tesla’s Roadster seems like a distant dream at this point. But China? China is eating everyone’s lunch. Now, I’ve ridiculed some of their past creations for being copycats but having driven a Chinese EV myself I have to admit, that the Asian giant has come a long way not just in terms of coming up with some truly unique and original products, but also in terms of innovating across all verticals of its domestic auto market.
These days, I’d argue it’s the other way around in China. Western brands like Porsche are struggling there, and automakers like MG (now part of the Shangai Automobile Industry Corporation) and Xiaomi are charging forward. Case in point: the MG Cyberster, a sleek 500 horsepower all-electric convertible with a price tag of $70,000 that embarrasses legacy brands. Also, let’s not forget the SU7 from smartphone maker Xiaomi, which reviewers are hailing as a Taycan killer for a third of the price. Think just in the ballpark of $30,000. Now BYD (Build Your Dreams), the battery maker that was one of the early players in the EV space in China and is a behemoth today (F.Y.I., they’re bigger than Tesla when it comes to sales numbers), is now stepping into the sports car ring with what appears to be a Porsche 911 rival. Bold claim? Sure, but the early signs are worth digging into.
BYD Sports Car Prototype: Here’s what the spy photos reveal so far
Spy photos by CarNewsChina reveal a camouflaged BYD prototype, hinting at a sleek, low-slung two-door coupe
This latest scoop comes from CarNewsChina, who’ve recently spotted a camouflaged BYD prototype on a tow truck. Wrapped in BYD’s usual test-vehicle camouflage, this two-door coupe has the ideal proportions of a sports car, but is clearly still in its infancy. Rumor has it, that this upcoming sports car will fall under the Denza brand, a BYD sub-brand known for upscale EVs, and could eventually make its way to Europe. If true, BYD isn’t just dabbling in sports cars; it’s gunning for the heart of the market. This early prototype is rough around the edges, sure, but it’s enough to fuel some serious speculation. Here’s what we know (and what we can reasonably guess) about this upcoming BYD sports car:
Body Style: A two-door coupe with a sleek, low-slung profile
Front Design: Sharp, a sloped front end that screams aerodynamics
Side Features: Traditional mirrors and flush retractable door handles
Rear End: A missing rear bumper, but hey, that’s par for the course with prototypes
The Fang Cheng Bao Connection
The prototype’s design may be influenced by the Fang Cheng Bao Super 9 concept, styled by Wolfgang Egger
According to the Chinese publication, this prototype might be the production version of the Fang Cheng Bao Super 9 concept, revealed in April 2024 that was styled by German designer Wolfgang Egger who has Alfa Romeo, Lamborghini and Audi on his CV. If that is the case we could see some bold styling and a very tech-heavy interior carried over. It is worth noting that while the concept was a two-seater speedster, this prototype is a coupe.
Key Stats and Speculation
The car is expected to utilize a tri-motor setup from the Z9, from BYD’s luxury brand Denza delivering over 950 horsepower and around 300 miles of driving range
If the rumors are true, this car will inherit the Denza Z9’s (pictured above) tri-motor setup, capable of pushing out a staggering 950 horsepower. For context, a 911 Turbo S hits 640 horsepower. This BYD could obliterate the 0-60 mph run in under 3 seconds, potentially faster than the 911 Turbo S’s 2.7 seconds. Combine that with AWD and advanced torque vectoring, and you’re looking at a recipe for a corner-carving beast. As for range, expect somewhere in the region of 300 miles on a single charge. I suppose the biggest challenge with an EV sports car would be to offer driver engagement and that nimble feeling from behind the wheel. But at least achieving part of that engagement is not impossible, looking at what Hyundai has done on the Ioniq 5 N. We know for sure that Porsche won’t be offering simulated gear shifts on its future cars, that will take the electric route.
Final Thoughts
It is worth noting that while the concept reveled in April 2024 was a Speedster, the prototype that was spotted is a coupe
So here we are. BYD might be on the verge of doing what nobody thought possible this car delivers on these specs it will be seismic. A Chinese EV taking on the Porsche 911? The upmarket Denza brand should give them a gateway into Europe where they could cause even more havoc. Speaking of Europe, the one sports car that could beat the 911 EV to market is the Piëch GT, but expect that model to cost a pretty penny. Given BYD’s scale of operations, they have the ability to price this thing far below the competition, this is a market that loves its Porsches but who doesn’t love a bargain?
Their battery tech and vertical integration make them a formidable player in the EV space. What happens next is anyone’s guess. We will likely see more prototypes in the coming months and eventually a full reveal. If this upcoming 911 rival from China, is even half as good as it looks on paper the traditional sports car hierarchy is about to be turned on its head