BYD has launched its fifth-generation plug-in hybrid powertrain in China, which allows a vehicle to travel 2,100 km without stopping. The carmaker’s new DM (Dual Mode) system premiered in the Qin L DM-i and Seal 06 DM-i. It combines a 1.5-liter petrol engine with 99 hp and 126 Nm of torque, with either a 161 hp / 210 Nm electric motor or a 215 hp / 260 Nm motor, depending on specification. The system is also sold with 10.08 kWh and 15.78 kWh battery packs and also features a more traditional 12-volt lithium-iron phosphate battery.
The new 1.5-liter engine at the heart of
the new plug-in hybrid powertrain has a thermal efficiency of 46.06%, which BYD
says makes it the most thermally efficient combustion engine of any production
car. It features plenty of trick tech to achieve this efficiency, including
what the company describes as intelligent combustion, variable lubrication, and
split cooling systems. Prior to this, Toyota is thought to have had the most
thermally efficient production engine at roughly 41%. This means that 41% of
the work being done by the engine is converted into power while the remaining
59% is lost as heat. Ultra-efficient Formula 1 engines operate at around 50%
thermal efficiency.
Improvements have also been made to the
Blade battery packs offered. The carmaker says the battery offers 15.5% more
energy density. AC charging has also been upgraded from 3.3 kW to 6.6 kW, and
on a DC charger, the system can charge from 30-80% in 21 minutes.
The result of all the improvements to
BYD‘s new plug-in hybrid powertrain translates into a fuel economy of just 2.9
l/100 km (124 U.S. MPG) and a driving range of over 2,100 km without needing to refuel or recharge. Models with the 10.08 kWh battery can
travel 80 km on electric power, while those with the 15.78 kWh
battery have an electric range of 120 km.
Remarkably, the Qin L DM-i and Seal 06
DM-i, featuring this new plug-in powertrain, don’t break the bank. Prices for
the new Qin L DM-i and the Seal 06 DM-i start at just 99,800 yuan (US$ 13,750)
and top out at 139,800 yuan (US$ 19,300).
