► New rugged off-roader with 536bhp
► Twin-motor hybrid system, trick suspension
► Crammed with tech and standard kit

BYD’s premium brand Denza is launching a new ladder-frame 4×4 into the UK. The Bao 5 – variously known as the Denza B5 and Fangchengbao Bao 5 globally – is plug-in hybrid alternative to the likes of the Land Rover Defender, Toyota Land Cruiser and Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The looks are somewhat paint-by-rugged-numbers, but the tech beneath the surface is intriguing to say the least.

A trio of diff locks and an ‘off-road optimised’ hybrid system that largely acts like a range-extender is just the start of it. From a cabin packed with screens to a blade battery ‘incorporated’ into the chassis – not to mention 140mm of height adjustment in the suspension – this is a fascinating new entry into the premium SUV segment.

Two electric motors, one petrol engine, 536bhp

The heart of the BAO 5 is what’s described as the world’s first ‘off-road dedicated hybrid architecture’. Called the DMO – which stands for Dual Mode Off-road – Denza claims it’s also the world’s first longitudinal electric hybrid system, a reference to the 1.5-litre turbo petrol under the bonnet being longitudinally mounted.

This four-cylinder engine is good for a fairly limp 148bhp on its own. But mostly it acts as the electricity source for the battery pack and the twin electric motors. While the front motor is rated at 268bhp and the rear 383bhp individually, the combined total system output is 536bhp – still enough for a claimed 0-62mph in as little as 4.8sec. Top speed is 112mph.

The 31.8kWh ‘cell-to-chassis’ blade battery pack is fully integrated into the Bao 5’s underlying ladder-frame construction and promises 56 miles of WLTP electric driving range on its own. The official combined fuel economy is 68.9mpg – leading to a 30g/km CO2 rating. With the battery flat the efficiency drops to 26.4mpg; nice of Denza to give us that figure.

Maximum charging speed is 100kW DC – which means 30-80 per cent should be possible in as little as 16 minutes.

DiSus-P: continuously adjustable suspension

With an old-school ladder-frame foundation – as favoured by pick-up trucks and hardcore 4x4s – the Bao 5 promises a low centre of gravity and a strong core. Curiously, though, this is paired with all-round double-wishbone suspension, and top-spec models get ‘an intelligent body control system’ called DiSus-P.

This uses a suite of 20 sensors to offer continuous damping adjustment to resist body roll. Two-stage stiffness is just the start of the tricks this can pull – it not only offers 140mm of ride-height adjustment (90mm up from the default starting point and 50mm down), it can reputedly withstand a 1.5m drop (ouch), and delivers independent hydraulic pressure at each wheel.

It also has one-touch self-levelling, intended for campsites. Maximum ground clearance is 310mm, with a 39-degree approach angle and a 34-degree departure angle. That’s five degrees more than that available from the lower-spec model with conventional suspension.

All versions get front and rear electronically locking differentials, plus what’s described as an ‘energy centre lock’ that Denza claims is 30 times faster at distributing torque between axles than a conventional centre diff.

My, my, what a lot of screens you have…

The interior of the Bao 5 is part Defender detailing, part PC World, as the extensive screen estate inside includes a 15.6-inch central touchscreen (with Google built-in, and bigger than any rival’s), a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and another panel for use by the front passenger. A head-up display takes the information overload to the max.

The voice control system operates four zones, which Denza says allows ‘each occupant to interact personally with over 300 vehicle functions’. There are five USB ports throughout the cabin, one or two wireless phone chargers (depending on the trim) and up to 18 speakers.

As well as multi-adjustable electric front seats – with ‘spa-grade’ 10-point massaging function – the cabin also includes a 4.5-litre heated or cooled storage area. Best of all, however, has got to be the electrically adjustable cup-holder with ‘power lifting function’.

There are 11 airbags as standard, as well as all the usual driver assistance acronyms.

Two trim levels, crammed with kit

The Bao 5 comes in Elegance or Ultimate specifications.

Elegance runs on 18s, gets heated and ventilated front seats with massage function, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, 16-speaker audio, the full screen, and an illuminated charging port – among many other items. This is the version that does 0-62mph in 4.8sec.

Ultimate (pictured) goes up to 20-inch alloys, gets the DiSus-P suspension, ventilated rear seats, 18-speaker audio, and enclosed cover for the spare wheel mounted on the tailgate. The extra weight of that extra kit slows the 0-62 down to 5.0sec here.

Metallic paint is standard, in a choice of six colours. There’s also a matte purple finish. As you do.

What price this crazy tech fest?

No official pricing yet, but word is the Bao 5 is heading for a recommended retail of around £70k. Which is a lot of the folding stuff for a nouveau brand competing in a very image / heritage conscious area of the SUV market with a 1.5-litre four-pot.

Electric motors regardless, it feels like a tough sell.