BYD Tie7 Design Controversy..Lexus GX, G-Class Bibimbap Based on Defender?

Jun 23, 2025

Photo courtesy : carguy(www.carguy.kr)



China's BYD luxury SUV brand Fang Cheng Bao's new model "Tie7" has been embroiled in a controversy over its design imitation. Critics point out that it is a Bibimbap design that combines Lexus GX and Mercedes G-Class slightly based on the Defender.

BYD Pang Cheng Bao Tai 7

According to the Thai 7 design recently unveiled by China's Ministry of Industry and Information (MIIT), it seems to be a mixture of other high-end SUVs, including the Land Rover Defender.




Fang Cheng Bao is BYD's luxury brand, but some design similarities are quite striking. The front is quite similar to the Defender. Instead of a circular headlight, which is a Defender feature, a split-type lighting unit was applied.

The design, reminiscent of the Defender, extends to the back. The rear looks harmonized with some elements of the Lexus GX. Its main features include angled fender flares, bulging bodies, and greenhouses reminiscent of defenders.

The controversial 'side plate' also appears to have remained similar to Land Rover. The good thing is that it is small in size and hidden from view.




At the back, a Defender-inspired bumper contrasts with a silver border. A square-shaped rear carrier similar to that seen in the Mercedes G-Class EV is also available.



Overall, it seems that it will not be well received in terms of design originality.The powertrain is a plug-in hybrid that combines a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor and a BYD lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.






It has a gasoline turbo 1.5-liter engine generating 154 horsepower, a 268 horsepower (200 kW) electric motor, and a plug-in hybrid powertrain consisting of a lithium iron phosphate battery pack. This allows the body to weigh up to 2230kg, but with a top speed of up to 190km/h.



Wheels will be equipped with 18 and 19 inches. It is a large SUV with a length of 4,999mm, a width of 1,995mm, a height of 1,865mm, and a wheelbase of 2,920mm. This figure is 102 mm shorter than the Defender 130 and the wheelbase 102 mm shorter. Compared to the Defender 110, it is 241 mm longer.



Tie7 will be released later this year. Chinese media estimate that the launch price will be less than 300,000 yuan (about 57.5 million won).



Editor Kim Tae-jin, tj.kim@carguy.kr





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.