The Chinese are having their first real crack at producing a hybrid sedan with the BYD Qin, a car with pretty decent performance and economy figures. BYD Qin Hybrid is no on sale in China, and it will reach the European market in early 2015.
The hybrid system powering the Qin consists of a 1.5 liter TID petrol engine and an electric motor that provides a zero-emission range 70km (44 miles). Average fuel consumption for this system is claimed to be 1.6 L/100km (177mpg). Performance-wise, the Qin can go from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 185kph (115 mph).
The Qin is a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), which means you can charge up its batteries by plugging it in any normal household socket. The car also has a regenerative braking system, contributing 2.5 to 3 kWh every 100km (62 miles). It’s the real deal, this Qin.
The Chinese hybrid car is very well-equipped in terms of technology features to compete with the best of what Europe has to offer in this class. It offers four driving modes of EV+ECO, EV+SPORT, HEV+ECO and HEV+SPORT, a 12.1-inch TFT instrument panel, smart key system and BYD’s unique remote driving facility, which allows the car to be manoeuvred remotely at very low speed from the outside of the vehicle where permissible.
Just about the only thing that isn’t up to standard about the BYD Qin Hybrid is the way it looks, which is decidedly Chinese. But we have no intention of poking any holes in it. The Qin is a brilliant effort by BYD and it will surely be met with success. In Europe, the Qin is expected to cost from €23,725 to €26,225 (£19,645 to £21,715).
