BYD Song L and Song Plus launch with DM 5.0 PHEV powertrain – range up to 1,500 km
On the evening of July 25, BYD launched the new Song L DM-i and the Song Plus DM-i, an updated version of the Song Plus DM-i. Both cars use the same version of the fifth-generation PHEV system, and despite different positioning, the two ranges offer exactly the same price range. There are five versions of the Song L and five versions of the Song Plus, ranging in each case from 135,800 yuan to 175,800 yuan (18,800 – 24,300 USD).
For both cars, the DM 5.0 system is built around a 1.5-liter engine with a maximum power of 74 kW and 126 Nm of torque. This is coupled with an electric motor of 160 kW and 260 Nm torque. It is the same BYD472QC engine with 46.06% thermal efficiency that originally debuted with the system in the Qin L and Seal 06 DM-i cars. For the Song L and Song Plus DM-i cars, there are three battery pack options of 12.9 kWh, 18.3 kWh, and 26.6 kWh, corresponding to pure electric ranges of 75 km, 112 km, and 160 km, respectively, using the CLTC cycle. BYD likes to use NEDC calculations to show the fuel consumption, and these for the three powertrains are 3.88, 3.90, and 3.93 l/100 km, respectively – it should be noted that using the WLTC figures that MIIT usually quotes the consumption figures are actually 4.93, 4.95 and 4.98 l/100 km. Comprehensive range is up to 1500 km.
Song L DM-i
Of the two cars, the Song L is the more interesting, being a completely new model. Positioned as a compact SUV it will be sold in the Dynasty range and plugs the product gap between I the Song Pro DM-i and the Tang DM-i. There are five versions available as follows:
| Version | Price |
| 75 km Leading | 135,800 yuan (18,800 USD) |
| 112 km Leading | 145,800 yuan (20,150 USD) |
| 112 km Transcendent | 155,800 yuan (21,550 USD) |
| 160 km Transcendent | 165,800 yuan (22,950 USD) |
| 160 km Excellence | 175,800 yuan (24,300 USD) |
Styling-wise, it follows the look of the Song L EV, which was previously listed. There is, though, a large grille to dissipate heat from the engine. The wheel arches are quite distinctive, having a rounded rectangular look about them, and the car uses 19-inch wheels shod with Kumho tires. There are hidden door handles, and the car has a quite distinctive double crease above the rear wheel, with the second of those creases being part of the window line. The pillars all gain chrome decoration, and at the rear, there is a silver skid plate. On the through tail light design, there are Chinese knot style decorations on the actual light clusters. At the top of the rear window is a two section rear spoiler. The car is available in four colors: Ice Blue, Emerald Blue, Citrine Grey and Jade White.
Dimensions of the Song L are 4780, 1898, and 1670 mm and the wheelbase is 2782 mm. Curb weight for the 112 km version is 2305 kg while the 160 km version has a weight of 2375 kg.
The interior layout is similar to that of the Qin L DM-i. The seats and trim come in a Jinsha pottery color. Equipment specifications vary according to trim, but on top-spec versions include a 15.6-inch centrally mounted infotainment screen, along with an LCD instrument panel and head-up display. The screen has a built-in DiLink 100 operating system and a 6nm processor chip. In addition, there is 50W wireless phone charging, a heated steering wheel, and a 10-speaker infinity sound system, along with DiPilot driver assistance.
The BYD Song L DM-i is a five-seater. In the trunk, there is 459 liters of storage space, and with the seats down, there is 1,550 liters.
Song Plus DM-i
Launched at the same time as the Song L DM-i was the Song Plus DM-i. This, however, is just an upgrade of an existing BYD car putting in the latest DM 5.0 powertrain technology. It is also available in five versions as follows:
| Version | Price |
| 75 km Deluxe | 135,800 yuan (18,800 USD) |
| 112 km Prestige | 145,800 yuan (20,150 USD) |
| 112 km Honor | 155,800 yuan (21,550 USD) |
| 160 km Flagship | 165,800 yuan (22,950 USD) |
| 160 km Flagship Plus | 175,800 yuan (24,300 USD) |
Externally, there is little difference between the new version and the old version except for some small adjustments to the headlights. Probably the most noticeable difference in the exterior of the new version is the BYD logo at the rear, which illuminates – that the old car had a Build Your Dreams logo. Dimensions remain unchanged at 4775, 1890, and 1670 mm, with a wheelbase of 2765 mm.
Inside the Song Plus DM-i has a similar overall configuration to the Song L, however, the implementation of it is different. Not only is the general layout more traditional in looks, but it is also lighter thanks to the white and gray coloring. Equipment levels are also similar, with features such as a wide head-up display, a 50-watt wireless phone charging pad, and the DiLink 100 operating system. Top spec cars also get features such as a ten-speaker infinity surround sound system and DiPilot driving assistance.
Editor’s note:
When BYD first introduced the DM 5.0 technology, it launched two cars simultaneously, the Qin L and the Seal 06 DM-i. Although both cars are fundamentally the same, they were purposely designed to appeal to different users and sold through separate Dynasty and Ocean series dealers. With the new Song L DM-i and the revised Song Plus DM-i there is very little difference between the two cars other than aesthetics. Both will be sold as part of the Dynasty range and have very similar sizes. The Song Plus has been one of the most successful BYD lines having in the all EV and PHEV versions sold a total of over a million cars. Whether the Song L can actually carve its own niche remains to be seen.
