BYD’s Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser hybrid rival hits the road in Australia ahead of expected local launch in 2026

China’s BYD has been spied testing a right-hand drive version of the premium Denza B8 in Australia ahead of an expected local launch.

Photos and short videos of this camouflaged prototype were uploaded to the BYD Denza B5 & B8 Australia Facebook group. It was parked on the side of the Pacific Highway in Brooklyn, New South Wales.

A vehicle registration search confirms this car is a black Denza B8 “evaluation vehicle”.

As previously reported, BYD is launching its Denza premium off-shoot brand in Australia before the end of 2025.

The first Denza model to be offered locally is the B5 plug-in hybrid SUV, which is smaller than the three-row B8. It’s around the size of a Toyota Prado.

At this stage the company hasn’t confirmed whether the B8 will join Denza’s Australian model line-up, but it’s believed there is a strong chance it’ll head our way.

The B8, along with the B5, were also confirmed for a launch in Africa and the Middle East from the third quarter of 2025.

Known in China as the Leopard 8 under the Fengchengbao off-road brand from BYD, the Denza B8 has a slightly different front grille design, along with Denza badging all around.

CarsGuide got a chance to drive a left-hand drive Fengchengbao version earlier this year in China.

Measuring in at 5195mm long, 1994mm wide and 1905mm tall with a 2920mm wheelbase, the B8 is a large three-row SUV that’s larger than a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and more on par with the likes of the Land Rover Defender 130.

Power comes from a PHEV powertrain that includes a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and two electric motors for total system outputs of 550kW and 760Nm. It’s claimed to be able to do the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.8 seconds despite a kerb weight of 3.3 tonnes.

The two electric motors are fed by a 36.8kWh ‘Blade’ lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that’s claimed to offer 100km of electric range, according to WLTP testing.

All up there’s a claimed range 1200km, according to lenient CLTC testing.

The Denza B8 is built on a body-on-frame chassis with double wishbone independent suspension that also features ‘DiSus-P’ air suspension.

Ground clearance is 220mm in normal mode and increases to 310mm when lifted up. The B8 has a wading depth of up to 890mm, approach and departure angles of 34 and 35 degrees, respectively, as well as a low-speed four-wheel drive mode, three automatic diff locks and a long list of off-road modes.