China’s BYD doesn’t
get much attention outside its home market, but that could soon change as the
company has released the first teaser image of a stylish new concept. Looking
long, low and sleek, the concept has gently flowing lines and a canopy-like
greenhouse. A closer inspection reveals slender LED headlights, large alloy
wheels and distinctive carbon fiber side skirts with integrated fins, plus a
gently tapered rear end with stylish LED taillights that have a bit of a
Porsche vibe.
Little is known
about the concept, but Sina suggests it previews a production model that is
slated to have a plug-in hybrid powertrain consisting of a turbocharged
2.0-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor that produces 150 hp. There have also rumors about an all-wheel drive variant, which would
use an additional electric motor, for a total output of 476 hp. This would reportedly enable the car to accelerate from 0-100
km/h in just 2.9 seconds.
BYD will use the
Shanghai Auto Show to introduce the Song Pro crossover. Looking like a larger
version of the Song, the Song Pro measures 4660 mm long, 1860 mm wide and 1700 mm tall, with a wheelbase that
spans 2712 mm.
While the exterior
styling isn’t revolutionary, the cabin is pretty high-tech as it features a
large touchscreen display which eliminates most physical buttons and switches.
There are still a few scattered around the cabin, so it appears the company
hasn’t gone as extreme as the Tesla Model 3.
Under the hood,
there will be three different powertrains. According to Autohome, the standard
model has a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine that produces 158 hp. There will also be a hybrid variant, which uses the aforementioned
internal combustion engine and an electric motor, as well as and an
all-electric with 181 hp.
