BYD has begun officially teasing a new plus-sized SUV that’s set to become the range-topping model for its Chinese luxury division. Called the Fangchenbao Tai 9, the ultra-luxury three-row SUV is the latest in a range of top-shelf prestige SUVs from Chinese brands, and could make the switch to Denza branding in overseas markets.

BYD already sells the Denza B5 and B8 in Australia, known as the Fangchenbao Bao 5 and Bao 8 in Australia, signalling the potential for the Tai 9 to make the switch to Denza branding in markets outside of China as the Denza B9.

Unlike the body-on-frame off-road platform of the B5 and B8, the Tai 9 is expected to use a more car-like monocoque chassis, prioritising on-road comfort and refinement. This matches the push seen from other brands within BYD, and numerous Chinese rivals, into the premium large SUV market.

The Tai 9 is expected to incorporate BYD’s ultra-fast Flash Charging capability, although it’s not yet clear if the new model will be a pure EV, or available as a plug-in hybrid.

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Image credit: CarNewsChina

The latest generation of BYD’s lidar-based self-driving technology will be available. The Tai 9 is also expected to offer a host of high-end interior appointments like individual second-row seats with heating, cooling, and massage functions, individual rear climate controls, and comfort features designed to take the sting out of long road trips, like rear entertainment packages.

Full dimensions and specifications are yet to be revealed, with an overall length of over 5300mm expected, riding on a 3100mm wheelbase. That makes the Tai 9 longer than a Mercedes-Maybach GLS600 (5208mm/3135mm) and closer in size to the GMC Yukon (5360mm/3071mm).

Denza’s current range-topping model, the B8, measures 5195mm long with a 2920 mm wheelbase, powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid system with a combined 425kW output.

A story by CarNewsChina reports that BYD General Manager Xiong Tianbo recently fuelled speculation, reposting a user’s speculative render on the Chinese social media site Weibo.