New spy shots have emerged of BYD’s new MPV, which Chinese media believe is called Zhou, although it should also be noted that this car may be called the Tang Max. The spy shots show that the car is considerably more complete than when it was seen in May this year. It’s claimed that the BYD Zhou will launch very soon. We will have to see at the time whether it is really called Zhou or Tang Max, as previous badges suggested.
Previously, it was speculated that the car shared its platform with the Denza D9 MPV. The BYD Zhou seems to be over five meters long with a wheelbase of more than three meters, and it’s expected to be a seven-seater. It will be the largest MPV under the BYD brand to date and will be cheaper than the Denza D9.
Though still quite heavily camouflaged, we can clearly make out the silhouette. From the front, there is an imposing grille. The sides have sliding doors on both sides and there is little angle down to the back. Fast Technology claims that the tail lights are slender, but this is really quite difficult to make out, and it is possible that the car, in fact, has a through light.
As part of the dynasty series, the car will likely have an imposing appearance and liberal use of chrome highlighting.
If the car really is to go on sale as soon as Chinese media seems to believe it will, then we should expect to see it appear in the MIIT list later this month or next month at the latest.
Previous information suggested that the Zhou would, at launch, only come as a PHEV. This will almost certainly mean a version of the BYD’s DM 5.0 technology. Given the size of the car, it will likely use the version based around the 1.5T engine as used on the Han DM-i and the more powerful version of the Seal 07 DM-i. The BYD472ZQB engine has a maximum power of 115 kW. In the case of the Han DM-i, this is then matched with a 200 kW peak power TZ210XYD electric motor, and the Zhou may well also use this electric motor.
Chinese sources speculate that the new model may be released in Baoji, Shaanxi province, the birthplace of the Zhou Dynasty. The Zhou Dynasty had the longest reign in Imperial China and ruled parts of the country for nearly 800 years until 256 BC. It should be noted that BYD has considerable connection to Shaanxi province despite being headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. BYD obtained its car-producing license by taking over a producer based in Xian, the provincial capital of Shaanxi.
Prices of the PHEV version of the Denza D9 (see specs) start at 324,800 yuan (44,850 USD) so we should expect starting prices for the BYD Zhou to come in considerably lower, and maybe around 250,000 yuan (35,050 USD).
Source: Fast Technology
