China’s electric automaker giant BYD’s Fang Cheng Bao brand has unveiled its latest concept supercar, the Super 9 (or Bao 9). Roofless and sleek in design, its dual “cockpit” look is akin to the famous 1960s Batmobile.
However, the comparison with the 1960s Batmobile ends with the dual-cockpit design of the iconic car from TV and film. According to the latest news, the Super 9/Bao 9 started as a concept but is getting ready for production soon.
According to the market information, Fang Cheng Bao’s parent company, BYD, is officially the world’s largest electrical vehicle (EV) maker, with a 20% market share. BYD has been increasing its global export share in the last few years, focusing mainly on the Chinese EV market.
Fang Cheng Bao is a premium brand being developed by BYD. Currently, the brand is mainly focused on producing electric sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and has only released one model so far—the PHEV Bao 5 (aka the Leopard 5).
1960s Batmobile inspired?
The company has previously showcased two other SUV concepts (the Leopard 3 and Leopard 8).
The introduction of an open-top sports car in the Super 9 concept suggests that multiple vehicle lines may be produced under the Fang Cheng Bao brand in the future.
According to New Atlas, the former concept Super 9 will be called the Bao 9 when/if it enters production. The name may also indicate that we could see another 8 Bao vehicles sometime in the future. It could also indicate plans for several other Leopard vehicles.
Besides its striking looks, the planned Super 9/Bao 9 will be fully electric. It also appears to be a two-seater car split across duel-exposed cockpits with scissor doors.
A thin bodywork strip separates the two passengers, each sporting what appears to be carbon fiber seats. The cockpits themselves have been described as fighter-style, with the driving appearing to benefit from a Formula One-style steering wheel.
The driver’s cockpit is also well furnished with a bank of buttons and other controls on either side and below, the center console.
The Bao 9’s chassis is also said to be primarily carbon fiber to reduce weight. This will be necessary given the likely weight of the battery pack needed to power the supercar.
The Bao 9 is a bold concept
One of the Bao 9’s main design features is its apparent lack of a roof and diminutive windscreen. Both the driver and passenger are treated with smaller windscreens, making them, more or less, completely exposed to the elements when cruising around.
The Super 9/Bao 9 concept is especially unique with its roofless, dual-cockpit design. McLaren Elva and Aston Martin V12 Speedster have already released similar roofless designs.
McLaren is more interesting among the two as it channels a wall of air through the hood to create a virtual windscreen that keeps your hair in better shape while driving on the highway. However, both of these supercars are gas-guzzling monsters.
No information is publicly accessible on when the Bao 9 will be available for purchase. Still, we are confident that its release will “put a cat among the pigeons” in the EV/supercar market when it finally arrives.
