BYD mixes fable, gaming and small SUVs

• BYD’s newest idea is a mash up of tech, gaming and a sixteenth century novel.
• The Fangchengbao Tai 3 Black Myth: Wukong version is a tie-up with the favored online game.
• Black Myth: Wukong is likely one of the fastest-selling video video games ever and the primary AAA title from a Chinese developer.

One of the nice traditions of Western carmakers is the marginally bewildering mash up of automobiles and popular culture  that’s the particular version tie-in mannequin that sees the world of automobiles and leisure collide in generally spectacular, usually perplexing methods.

Now Chinese carmaker BYD is getting in on that with the Fangchengbao Tai 3 Black Myth: Wukong version that debuted at ChinaJoy 2025, one among Asia’s largest digital leisure expos, held yearly in Shanghai.

Widely considered the primary AAA online game from the Chinese online game business, Black Myth: Wukong is an motion RPG based mostly on the sixteenth century Chinese novel Journey to the West by Wu Cheng’en (that additionally spawned the superbly weird 1980s TV show Monkey that might be seared into the thoughts of any little one that watched the BBC’s even weirder English-dubbed model).

Developed and revealed by Chinese sport developer Game Science, Black Myth: Wukong has been wildly profitable since its launch 12 months in the past, garnering quite a few Game of the Year awards and changing into one of many fastest-selling video video games of all time, clocking up offered greater than 20 million copies in its first month on sale.

The Tai 3 is a plug-in hybrid SUV and the smallest mannequin from BYD’s Fangchengbao model. It is the primary mannequin in Fangchengbao’s “Tai” (Chinese for “Titanium”) mannequin vary, with the model’s different two fashions being the Bao (“Leopard”) 5 and Bao 8 that may probably be coming to New Zealand because the Denza B5 and B8.

The particular version makes use of a “72 transformations” theme that’s impressed by one of many legendary powers of Sun Wukong (the Monkey King), that most important character of the sport, and incorporates a black base color with outstanding gold decals and accents.

Featuring a closely a reworked entrance bumper with an unlimited splitter, roof-mounted spotlights, “added lighting elements” across the guards, and a bonnet with “intake-like styling for visual effect”. In different phrases, a pretend bonnet scoop that really does not do something, identical to all these bulging, over-accessorised Ford Rangers…

Two-tone black and gold wheels, a rear-mounted cargo field that options the Fangchengbao brand and “Wukong” lettering in gold, and a hard and fast rear spoiler full the look.

The Tai 3 Black Myth: Wukong version continues BYD’s run of fashions produced as a tie-in with the sport, with a BYD Han L sedan and Seal 06 GT hatch, in addition to a Denza Z9 GT additionally getting the therapy. The three earlier automobiles had been beforehand proven on the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show and joined the Tai 3 at ChinaJoy 2025.