BYD is actively testing the BYD Ti 6, a new rugged SUV positioned as a smaller, more affordable sibling to the popular Ti 7. First images of the heavily camouflaged vehicle reveal a boxy, Land Rover Defender-like silhouette equipped with roof-mounted LiDAR and redesigned headlights. According to spy shots published by the Chinese automotive portal Autohome, the SUV retains the aggressive, off-road aesthetic of its larger seven-seat counterpart but in a more compact, five-seat footprint.
The vehicle will launch in China under BYD's sub-brand Fang Cheng Bao as the Tai 6, joining the Titanium lineup alongside the Tai 3, Tai 7, and Tai 9. For global markets, including Europe and the UK, the automaker rebadges these models under its primary brand, meaning this new SUV will likely debut internationally as the Ti 6. While official specifications remain undisclosed, pricing estimates suggest the new model will start around 150,000 yuan ($22,000) in China, undercutting the Tai 7's 179,800 yuan ($26,500) base price.
Powertrain options are expected to mirror the larger model, which offers both battery electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) configurations in its domestic market. In the UK, the current Ti 7 is sold exclusively as a PHEV, utilizing BYD's Super Hybrid DM technology. This system pairs a 35.6 kWh BYD Blade Battery with three electric motors and a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine to deliver a combined 402 hp (408 PS). It achieves a pure-electric WLTP range of up to 74 miles, extending to 102 miles in city driving conditions.
The Aggressive Undercutting of Legacy Off-Roaders
BYD's expansion of the Ti lineup highlights a calculated assault on premium European off-roaders. The current Ti 7 already undercuts the plug-in Land Rover Defender 110 by a massive margin - starting at £47,995 ($65,000) compared to the Defender's £71,840 ($97,000) - while offering more than double the WLTP electric range (74 miles versus 31.1 miles). By introducing the BYD Ti 6 at an even lower price point, the Chinese automaker is creating a formidable barrier to entry for legacy brands trying to transition their rugged SUVs to hybrid powertrains.
If the Ti 6 retains the roof-mounted LiDAR and Super Hybrid DM technology at its projected $22,000 domestic price, it will set a new benchmark for accessible off-road technology. This pricing strategy not only pressures traditional luxury automakers but also positions BYD to dominate the emerging market for mid-size, highly capable plug-in hybrid SUVs globally.
