BYD has confirmed its subsequent entrant into the Australian market can be a plug-in hybrid wagon arriving in early 2024 that can enter the large and profitable SUV phase to tackle the likes of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
At this stage, BYD Australia is but to verify if its first native petrol-fuelled mannequin can be joined by a pure electrical model as nicely.
The title of the brand new automobile additionally stays unclarified at this level.
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In China, it is called the Music Plus DM-i, the DM-i being a reference to its PHEV powertrain and standing for twin motor-intelligent.
However some stories additionally name it the Music Plus Champion Version or the Music Plus Professional. Confusingly, an older, smaller automobile is also called the Music Plus in some worldwide markets.
![2024 BYD Song Plus DM-i.](https://evcentral.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1687170878135592-1024x480.jpg)
In Europe, the place it launched solely as a battery electrical automobile in September, it has been named the Seal U.
BYD is ready to rapidly increase its petrol-electric DM-i choices in Australia past the 2024 SUV with the launch of a twin cab ute in late 2024, adopted by an electrical model in 2025. The DM-i Yangwang U8 luxurious SUV can also be pencilled in for late 2025 .
“What I can say is that we’re launching a DM-i expertise – the identical as per the ute – massive SUV subsequent yr, in all probability quarter two on the newest. We’re focusing on quarter one,” mentioned native BYD importer Luke Todd..
“What we haven’t confirmed is the naming of it for the time being
“I can’t assure it’s a Seal U but it surely may be. It gained’t be the complete electrical model, it is going to be DM-i.”
Todd expressed typical confidence BYD’s transfer from pure electrical to PHEV in Australia could be greeted positively by patrons.
![BYD Seal U](https://evcentral.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/BYD-Seal-U-.jpg)
“We’ve got a really thrilling automobile that’s launching earlier than the ute which we predict can be very, very enticing for those who wish to swap throughout to electrical … however they don’t have any compromise about vary anxiousness or any issues like that,” he mentioned.
In Chinese language specification the Music Plus DM-i is priced from the equal of $33,800 to $40,200.
It comes with a 1.5-litre petrol engine that makes 81kW/135Nm and a single e-motor producing 145kW/325Nm.
There are 18.3kWh and 26.6kWh Blade battery decisions for a claimed NEDC vary of 110km and 150km respectively. WLTC vary claims are a much less spectacular 85km and 116km.
The 18.3kWh model claims an NEDC gasoline consumption price of 5.3L/100km, whereas the 26.6kWh inches as much as 5.4L/100km. Utilizing WLTC, these claims drop to 4.5L/100km and 4.6L/100km.
Each autos declare an 8.3 sec 0-100km time. Drive modes embody EV, hybrid, sport, eco and regular.
The Music Plus DM-i measures up at 4775mm x 1890mm huge x 1670mm excessive. It has a 2765mm wheelbase, 11.1m turning circle, a 60 litre gasoline tank and 235/50 R19 rubber.