BYD will launch four new SUV’s in China, in addition the the mad BYD Tang and BYD Tang Ultimate. Starting with the BYD Yuan, a sub-compact SUV that will debut is the third quarter with a launch on the Chinese car market just before the end of the year. The Yuan will come with 1.1 and 1.3 liter four-cylinder petrol engines and as a dual-mode hybrid. Size: 4320/1765/1650, wheelbase 2520.
Next comes the BYD Song, known until now as the BYD S3. The BYD Song/S3 is a new compact SUV. It will debut on the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show in April. The BYD Song will be powered by a 1.5 liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol with 154hp and 240nm, mated to a six-speed DCT or a six-speed manual. There will also be a dual-mode hybrid variant with four-wheel drive based around the same 1.5T engine. The petrol-powered Song will be launched on the Chinese car market in the second quarter, the hybrid in early 2016. Size: 4565/1830/1720mm, wheelbase is 2660mm.
Third new SUV is the Ming, scheduled for debut in 2017, although the vehicle under tee red cloth appears to be a sedan. The Ming will be a huge seven-seat beast, sized 5100/2000/1750 with a full 3000mm wheelbase. But even better than that; it will be more powerful than the BYD Tang! The Ming will be powered by a dual-mode hybrid drivetrain, consisting of six (6!) engines powering all four wheels. BYD promises a 0-100 acceleration of 3.9 seconds. The Tang Ultimate almost seems slow in comparison with 4.4 to the hundred.
The fourth new SUV is not entirely new; being a facelift for the successful BYD S6, scheduled for debut in H2. The front will become much sportier with mean looking headlights and a racy bumper. The interior will be updated as well. Engines will remain the same: 140hp 2.0, 167hp 2.4, and a 154hp 1.5T. Price will range from 70.000 to 120.000 yuan. The continuation of the BYD S6 is somewhat of a surprise as the newer BYD S7 costs almost the same.
The current BYD S6.
BYD needs some new sedans; all these SUVs are getting sort of boring.
Maybe the point is that its PHEV SUVs can directly compete with non-PHEV SUVs in China, but China is flooded with cheap sedans.
Dear BYD: more sedans, hatchbacks, and coupes and less SUVs (which is getting kinda redundant) please.
At least the Yuan looks nice.
On the upside, the need to copy others appears to be lessening.