BYD launches 3 hybrids with surprisingly good range

Customers in China can already pre-order three BYD cars based on a new DM-i powertrain: the Qin Plus DM-i sedan and the two SUVs named Tang DM-i and Song Plus DM-i.

The trio ships with the same basic Xiaoyun Series engine with 1.5 liters of displacements, but the specs are different. The engine acts as a range extender charging the main battery, but can also drive the wheels in certain situations; the front-mounted electric motor does most of the propulsion.

The affordable crossover and sedan duo come rated at 110 PS (108 hp / 81 kW) and 135 Nm (100 lb-ft) gasoline-only. The cumulative system output can amount to either 179 PS (177 hp / 132 kW) with 316 Nm (233 lb-ft), or 197 PS (194 hp / 145 kW) with 325 Nm (240 lb-ft).

An 8.3-kWh traction battery grants the SUV 51 kilometers (309 miles) of NEDC-rated range. The sedan is slightly ahead at 55 km (34 mils). Opting for a larger 18.3-kWh battery unlocks 110 km (68.4 miles) of range for the SUV and 120 km (74.6 miles) for the sedan. The combined gasoline/electric range amounts to a whopping 1,245 km (773 miles) for the Qin Plus DM-i and 1,200 km (745 miles) for the Song Plus DM-i.

The Tang DM-i is more powerful that the above two. Its IC engine produces 139 PS (137 hp / 102 kW) and 231 Nm (170 lb-ft) of torque, and the electric motor comes in two variants. One generates 197 PS (194 hp / 145 kW) and 316 Nm (233 lb-ft) of torque, while the other one exert up to 217 PS (214 hp / 160 kW) and 325 Nm (240 lb-ft). The available batteries are rated at 9.98 kWh and 21.5 kWh. The former gives the SUV 52 km (32.3 miles) of all-electric range and 627 miles of combined range, whereas the latter grants 112 km (69.6 miles) and 1,050 km (652 miles), respectively.

Shipments are scheduled to begin in March.