BYD
Qin
BYD
Qin is aiming for car markets in Europe with availability happening sometime in
the latter part of 2015 and an American entrance happening shortly after.
The
BYD Qin’s styling is uniquely its own, but somehow looks reminiscent of a
Toyota Camry. Detail-rich headlights flank a stylized front grille, while lower
fog lights and vertically oriented turn signals complete the look. Side
mirror-mounted turn signal indicators, chrome brightwork, and double-spoke,
satin chrome wheels help bring interest to the Qin’s sides. Other wheel options
bring diversity into the model’s lineup like the back and machine-finished
example seen in the pictures below.
Around
back, the taillight assembly spans the entire rear section. Interesting cuts
and angles in the design make the Qin instantly recognizable. A curvy lower
bumper with reflectors helps bring more visual interest and safety to the
table.
Otherwise,
the BYD Qin looks like a generic four-door family sedan. That changes once the
doors are opened and a glimpse of the interior is caught.
The
Qin’s interior is decidedly futuristic. It features a 12.1-inch TFT gauge
cluster shows all the vehicle information, including speed, engine revs, and
battery charge — among other things — all displayed in a creative manner. A
separate screen sits atop the center stack and provides navigation,
entertainment options, and fuel economy information. The center stack and
control panel look something like what’s inside a late model Buick Verano, but
it’s different enough not to be a copy.
BYD
has also developed a self-driving mode for the Qin. The car can be maneuvered
remotely at very slow speeds from outside the vehicle, like say a parking lot
for example.
Of
course, all the modern conveniences are included, like a smart-key system, tire
pressure monitoring, an electronic parking brake, child-seat mounting points,
electronic stability control, and 12 airbags are all present.
Previous
Qin models have been a huge success for BYD in China. The company, which was
founded in 2003, has rocketed to the top spot in plug-in hybrid sales in its
home country. Now with an American headquarters already located in California,
BYD is poised to invade.
However,
this isn’t the first time BYD has promised a U.S. version of its cars. Back in
2010, BYD was set to bring its e6 hatchback over, but the move was ultimately
postponed. Now with a more solid product, the automaker is more ready than
ever.
Under
the Qin’s hood is where the real story lies. A 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine
works in conjunction with a hybrid battery system that gives owners the ability
to drive 44 miles in full electric mode and average a combined fuel economy
rating 177 mpg. Those are pretty good numbers considering the car’s moderate
cost.
The
combined powertrain puts out a total of 291 horsepower, allowing the car to
accelerate from zero to 62 mph in a respectable 5.9 seconds. Its top speed is
limited to a pedestrian 115 mph. Four driving modes (EV+ECO, EV+SPORT, HEV+ECO
and HEV+SPORT) allow owners to change the way their Qin drives.
BYD
says the Qin is great for those customers who suffer range anxiety in fully
electric vehicles as the gasoline engine extends the car’s range when the
battery is depleted. Charging the battery can happen on the go via regenerative
braking and engine power as well as at home via a standard home power outlet.
The
Qin looks to be a solid plug-in hybrid for BYD to move global with. Its decent
exterior looks, interior tech, and its 44-mile electric range help make it
strong competitor with the Volt and Prius. Only time will tell whether the U.S.
and European markets are ready for another foreign brand that isn’t from Japan
or South Korea. Perhaps just like Hyundai and Kia, BYD and its rival Chinese
company Geely will make names for themselves as quality and parts accessibility
become non-issue items for non-Chinese buyers.
Source
: topspeed
