Key Takeaways
BYD’s Fang Cheng Bao brand unveils stunning Speed 9 Concept at Auto China.
Extraordinary styling harks back to classic speedster races from the 1950s.
Expected to use an electric drivetrain.
Fang Cheng Bao, BYD’s high-end sub-brand, has revealed a striking sports car concept ahead of Auto China (Beijing Motor Show) called the Speed 9. This exquisite-looking creation looks like it comes from an Italian design house with clear European influences and might even pass as a modernized take on the Mercdes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss. Taking the form of a speedster, like the Ferrari Monza SP2, the Speed 9 is arguably the most desirable machine we’ve seen from China.
There’s a good reason for this European influence. BYD’s head designer, Wolfgang Egger, was previously the chief designer at Lamborghini, Audi, and Alfa Romeo. His resume includes the exquisite-looking 8C Competizione. The Speed 9 is a thing of beauty, with a sculpted bumper featuring central gloss black inserts, silver mesh grille elements, and deep air intakes, while the headlights appear similar to the units found on the Lamborghini Aventador.
Best-Looking Chinese Car Yet?
The seductive lines of the Speed 9 flow over the dramatic wheel arches and towards the occupant cell, with the driver and passenger side separated by a metal bar. This connects the front of the vehicle to the rear fascia, resulting in a cohesive and harmonious look. The Speed 9 boasts perfect proportions, with a long hood and pronounced haunches. Scissor doors contribute to the flamboyant persona.
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Round back, you’ll find more eye-catching details. The flying buttresses put one in mind of ’50s racing cars, such as the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR 722, with the lines tapering off to a flattering derriere. There are more Lamborghini influences here, with the quad taillights reminiscent of the ones found on the Sian FKP 37. A prominent diffuser and subtle spoiler round out the changes at the rear.
BYD Fan/YouTube
Electric Drivetrain Is Likely
As you would expect from a car of this ilk, the interior boasts carbon fiber bucket seats with red upholstery and supportive bolstering. Seat harnesses, metal detailing, and a Tesla yoke-style steering wheel are among the in-car highlights of the Speed 9.
BYD hasn’t shared additional information about the drivetrain or performance data, but overseas reports claim the Speed 9 boasts a lightweight carbon fiber chassis. BYD produces a combination of EVs and PHEVs, so whether the Speed 9 will use a battery-electric or plug-in hybrid drivetrain is unclear. Perhaps the speedster can borrow the setup from the BYD Yangwang U9, an all-electric supercar with four electric motors, developing combined outputs of 1,300 horsepower and 1,239 lb-ft of torque.