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BYD Ti 3: The Affordable Electric Off-Road Vehicle That’s Changing the Game
Discover how BYD’s Ti 3 is revolutionizing the electric SUV market with its unbeatable price and cutting-edge features. From its rugged design to its smart technology, the Ti 3 is setting a new standard for accessible adventure.
1. Shatter the perception of price! BYD launches an electric off-road vehicle that “everyone can afford”
While other car companies are still struggling to balance performance and price, BYD has once again pulled out a trump card. On the evening of March 31, BYD’s Formula Le brand launched the first model in the new Ti series, the Ti 3. With a pre-sale price of RMB 139,800-203,800 (approx. USD 19,400-28,300), this pure electric SUV has directly reset the price floor for electric SUVs.
What is most surprising is the pricing strategy. At the launch event, the audience’s guesses for the starting price were generally over 150,000 yuan. However, the final announced pre-sale price was not only lower than expected, but the official also hinted that it may be further reduced when it is officially launched in April. In the words of netizens: “This is to allow ordinary families to drive hardcore off-road vehicles too!”
2. A tough exterior hides thoughtful design
1. A futuristic ‘square box’ shape
Titanium 3 adopts a design language known as the “interstellar chariot”, with the overall shape resembling a muscular metal box. The front face is equipped with a black closed grille and trapezoidal headlights, while the hidden door handles on the sides and wide wheel arches create a strong visual impact. The tailgate on the rear of the car opens sideways, and it comes with a 28-litre external storage box (known as the “little schoolbag” by car fans), which combines practicality with individuality.
2. An unimaginable space layout
Although it is positioned as a compact SUV (4.6 meters long, 2.74 meters wheelbase), it can easily accommodate five adults. The most eye-catching feature is the front trunk volume of 151 liters, which is nearly 30% more than the Tesla Model Y’s 117 liters, and is enough to hold a 20-inch suitcase plus camping equipment.
3. Exclusive configuration for the drone version
The top-of-the-line model is equipped with the “Lingyuan Intelligent Drone System” jointly developed with DJI. The roof is integrated with an automatic take-off and landing platform, and the height of the body is increased to 1.93 meters. The drone can assist in exploring paths in the wild and shooting dynamic videos, and it can be controlled in real time through the in-vehicle screen.
3. Bringing a technology laboratory into the cockpit
1. Minimalist digital cockpit
The black-and-white interior features an all-LCD instrument cluster and a 15.6-inch floating central control screen, while a large number of physical buttons are retained for easy operation. The red and blue-colored function key area is particularly eye-catching and supports custom shortcut operations.
2. Superior comfort configuration
The standard equipment list includes:
- Dual-temperature automatic air conditioning
- In-car karaoke microphone
- Compressor-driven cooling and heating refrigerator (-6°C to 50°C)
- 50W wireless fast charging
- French Devialet sound system
- 6kW external discharge function (can simultaneously support induction cooker + projector + lighting equipment)
3. Instantly transform into a camping artifact
The rear seats can be folded down to create a flat space of 1.8 meters, which, combined with an officially customized mattress, can be transformed into a mobile bedroom. During the live demonstration, the staff showed a one-stop camping solution of “parking barbecue + in-car karaoke + open-air movie”.
4. An “all-rounder” with uncompromising performance
1. A furious power combination
The dual-motor, four-wheel drive version has a maximum power of 310 kW (about 416 horsepower), a peak torque of 510 N·m, and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds. The motor speed can reach up to 20,000 rpm, which is 1.5 times that of an F1 racing car.
2. Range and energy replenishment solutions
Equipped with BYD’s blade battery, the CLTC has a range of 501 km. It supports 237kW DC fast charging, and can be charged from 30% to 80% in just 18 minutes (about the time it takes to make a cup of coffee).
3. All-terrain conquest system
The unique iATS intelligent terrain recognition can automatically detect road conditions such as sand/snow/mud and switch driving modes. Coupled with the front double-ball joint suspension and rear five-link suspension, the measured gravel road passability is improved by 40%.
5. Hidden hardcore black technology
1. The Eye of the Sky intelligent driving system
The entire series comes standard with high-speed navigation assistance and automatic parking functions, supporting centimeter-level positioning. Test data shows that the system’s recognition and response speed to construction zones is 0.3 seconds faster than the industry average.
2. Cloud-based C-preview technology
Scans the road surface with the front camera and adjusts the suspension hardness 0.5 seconds in advance. In the continuous speed bump test, the vibration in the car was reduced by 35%.
3. Safety three-piece suit
- iTAC torque control system: reduces skidding on icy roads by 50%
- CTB battery body integration: improves side impact strength by 60%
- TSC tire blowout stabilisation system: automatically corrects direction when tire blows out at 140km/h
6. Pricing strategy that changes the rules of the market
1. Price comparison analysis
The Ti3 directly enters the 150,000-level market, competing with the Chery iCAR 03 (starting at about 168,000 yuan) and the Baojun Yueye PLUS (starting at about 135,000 yuan). However, compared to the single-motor configuration of its competitors, the Ti3’s dual-motor version directly drops to 168,800 yuan.
2. Brand strategy upgrade
The Formula LEOPARD previously focused on the high-end off-road market (e.g., the LEOPARD 5 priced from 289,800 yuan). This time, it has lowered its price through the Titanium series, forming a dual-line layout of “professional off-road + household hardcore”. Industry insiders predict that this strategy may drive the electric off-road vehicle market to expand by 300%.
3. User portrait breakthrough
With its trendy design and technological features, it is expected that the proportion of female owners will reach 35%-40%. The modification kit launched by BYD in collaboration with Harper’s Bazaar has already triggered a rush of pre-orders among young people.
7. 5 questions consumers are most concerned about
- How long is the real range? In winter (-5°C), the range is about 420 kilometers after the air conditioner is turned on. The standard battery preheating system is equipped.
- Off-road performance rating? Positioned as “light off-road”, it can handle gravel roads/shallow waters/snow, but is not suitable for professional rock climbing venues.
- Intelligent driving level? Currently supports high-speed navigation assistance, and the city NOA function is expected to be upgraded via OTA in Q3 2024.
- Description of modification policy? Official modification plan services are provided, and 10 types of modified parts such as window films/wheels/roof racks enjoy warranty.
- Maintenance cost estimate? The first maintenance is free for 5,000 kilometers, and the subsequent maintenance is about 400 yuan every 20,000 kilometers (only 1/3 of that for fuel vehicles).
8. Market impact and future prospects
Industry analysts point out that the pricing strategy of the Ti3 may trigger a chain reaction:
- Traditional fuel-powered SUVs face downward price pressure of more than 30%.
- The resale value of used electric vehicles is expected to drop by 5-8 percentage points.
- Charging pile operators will accelerate the layout of suburban sites.
With the official price announced in April, can this “price butcher” rewrite the market structure of the electric SUV market? Will its innovative features such as the unmanned aerial vehicle system and external discharge ecology become the new industry standard? The market is looking forward to BYD’s next move.
