BYD has put its third-generation Qin Plus DM-i on sale in China, starting at 76,900 yuan (about $11,450) for a limited time. The plug-in hybrid sedan is bigger than before and offers up to 220 km of CLTC electric range. It can also charge from 30 to 80 per cent in as little as 20 minutes.
What’s new with the Qin Plus DM-i?
BYD launched the car on Tuesday, 27 October, in three variants. The sedan keeps the brand’s fifth-generation DM hybrid technology. However, a lot around that system has moved on. The body is longer and wider, and the electric range has grown.
In addition, buyers can now add LiDAR. It comes bundled with BYD’s God’s Eye B driver assistance system, which sits on the options list. So the family sedan picks up hardware that you’d normally find on pricier models.
How much does it cost?
There are three trims to choose from. The entry-level Leading version has 140 km of electric range and a guide price of 79,900 yuan. For now, though, it’s selling at 76,900 yuan.
Next comes the Beyond, which offers 220 km of range for 90,900 yuan, or 87,900 yuan during the offer. At the top sits the Excellence, also with 220 km, listed at 100,900 yuan and currently available for 97,900 yuan. In short, every variant carries a 3,000-yuan discount for a limited period.
How far can it go on electricity?
BYD offers two lithium iron phosphate batteries. The 16.2 kWh pack gives 140 km on the CLTC cycle. Meanwhile, the 24.3 kWh pack stretches that to 220 km (137 miles). That’s 10 km more than the previous generation’s best figure of 210 km.
Still, it’s worth remembering that CLTC ratings tend to run higher than real-world results. On the charging side, BYD says a 30 to 80 per cent top-up takes as little as 20 minutes. That should suit drivers who can’t plug in at home every night.
Under the bonnet, a 1.5-litre engine works alongside an electric motor. The engine produces up to 74 kW, while the motor delivers 120 kW (161 hp). Together, they give the Qin Plus its familiar mix of electric running and petrol backup.
BYD also estimates a combined range of up to 2,290 km with a full tank and a fully charged battery. Furthermore, it quotes fuel consumption as low as 2.58 litres per 100 km on the NEDC cycle once the battery is depleted. Both figures are manufacturer estimates, so they aren’t independent test results.
What’s changed inside and out?
The new car measures 4,840 mm long, 1,900 mm wide and 1,498 mm tall. That makes it 60 mm longer, 63 mm wider and 17 mm taller than the outgoing model. Better still, the wheelbase has grown by 82 mm to 2,800 mm, which hints at more room inside.
Styling has moved on too. BYD has redesigned the front end and given the sedan a fastback profile. Even so, it keeps the Qin family’s full-width taillights, which take inspiration from Chinese knots. A new Island Blue paint option also joins the colour list.
Inside, the cabin runs BYD’s DiLink 150 system. Drivers get an 8.8-inch instrument display, plus either a 10.1-inch or 12.8-inch central touchscreen. BYD has also added extra storage and redesigned the seats to make daily use easier.
Then there’s the optional God’s Eye B package with LiDAR. It supports city navigation on autopilot (CNOA) and navigation assistance on highways and expressways (HNOA). On top of that, it includes several intelligent parking functions.
Why does BYD need this refresh?
The Qin Plus is the entry-level line in BYD’s Qin family, and it comes in both battery electric and plug-in hybrid forms. This launch covers only the DM-i plug-in hybrid. By contrast, the third-generation battery electric version has so far appeared only in regulatory filings.
The wider family also includes the Qin L and the higher-positioned Qin Max, which launched in August. As a result, BYD has now refreshed several parts of this core sedan range within a few months.
That timing isn’t an accident. Qin family sales reached 23,472 vehicles in September, according to industry sales data. That was down 65.27 per cent year on year, although it was up 7.54 per cent on August.
Over the first nine months of the year, the family sold 207,589 vehicles. That’s a fall of 54.71 per cent compared with the same period last year. Clearly, BYD hopes a bigger, better-equipped Qin Plus at a sharp launch price can help turn those numbers around.
