The BYD Qin (, after the
Qin dynasty
The Qin dynasty ( ) was the first Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China. It is named for its progenitor state of Qin, a fief of the confederal Zhou dynasty (256 BC). Beginning in 230 BC, the Qin under King Ying Zheng enga ...
) is a series of compact and mid-size
sedans produced by
BYD Auto
BYD Auto Co., Ltd. ( zh, s=比亚迪汽车, p=Bǐyàdí Qìchē) is the Automotive industry, automotive subsidiary of BYD Company, a publicly listed Chinese multinational manufacturing company. It manufactures passenger battery electric vehicle ...
since 2012. The Qin started out as the
plug-in hybrid
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) or simply plug-in hybrid is a type of hybrid electric vehicle equipped with a rechargeable battery pack that can be directly replenished via a charging cable plugged into an external electric power so ...
version of the
BYD Surui
The BYD F3 is a compact car that was produced by the Chinese car manufacturer BYD between 2005 and 2021. The first BYD vehicle of their own design, production of the first generation model commenced in September 2005. A few variants were introd ...
, and was introduced in the Chinese market in August 2012. Currently, the Qin is available as a
plug-in hybrid
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) or simply plug-in hybrid is a type of hybrid electric vehicle equipped with a rechargeable battery pack that can be directly replenished via a charging cable plugged into an external electric power so ...
(PHEV),
battery electric vehicle
A battery electric vehicle (BEV), pure electric vehicle, only-electric vehicle, fully electric vehicle or all-electric vehicle is a type of electric vehicle (EV) that uses electrical energy exclusively from an electric vehicle battery, on-boa ...
(BEV), and previously an
internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine (ICE or IC engine) is a heat engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer (usually air) in a combustion chamber that is an integral part of the working fluid flow circuit. In an internal comb ...
(ICE) vehicle.
The Qin is the successor of the
BYD F3DM
The BYD F3DM (Dual-mode) is a plug-in hybrid compact sedan (car), sedan manufactured by BYD Auto, BYD with an all-electric range of and a hybrid electric powertrain that can extend the range an additional . The F3DM is the world's first mass prod ...
, the world's first
mass-produced
Mass production, also known as mass production, series production, series manufacture, or continuous production, is the production of substantial amounts of standardized products in a constant flow, including and especially on assembly lines. ...
PHEV automobile which launched in China in 2008. In April 2012, BYD replaced the F3DM with the Qin. The first-generation Qin is the PHEV version of the
BYD Surui
The BYD F3 is a compact car that was produced by the Chinese car manufacturer BYD between 2005 and 2021. The first BYD vehicle of their own design, production of the first generation model commenced in September 2005. A few variants were introd ...
(the second-generation
BYD F3
The BYD F3 is a compact car that was produced by the Chinese car manufacturer BYD Auto, BYD between 2005 and 2021. The first BYD vehicle of their own design, production of the first generation model commenced in September 2005. A few variants we ...
), and deliveries in China began in December 2013.
The second generation model includes two variants was released in September 2018 as the BYD Qin Pro, which was available as an ICE vehicle, PHEV and BEV.
In 2021, this model was updated and renamed to BYD Qin Plus with PHEV and BEV variants. An updated version of the first generation is sold alongside the second generation Qin variants.
In 2024, BYD released a larger, mid-size Qin variant marketed as the BYD Qin L which is solely equipped with the DM-i 5.0 PHEV powertrain.
__TOC__
Qin (2012)
The BYD Qin
concept car
A concept car (also known as a concept vehicle or show vehicle) is a car made to showcase new styling or new technology. Concept cars are often exhibited at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not ...
was unveiled at the 2012
Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. It was named after the
Qin dynasty
The Qin dynasty ( ) was the first Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China. It is named for its progenitor state of Qin, a fief of the confederal Zhou dynasty (256 BC). Beginning in 230 BC, the Qin under King Ying Zheng enga ...
, China's first imperial dynasty.
The plug-in hybrid variant (which was the only variant available in the beginning) currently offers a
NEDC all-electric range
All-electric range (AER) is the maximum driving range of an electric vehicle using only power from its on-board battery pack to traverse a given driving cycle. In the case of a Battery electric vehicle (BEV), it means the maximum range per rech ...
of
and a
hybrid electric powertrain that can extend the car's total range to a distance similar to that of a conventional petrol-powered vehicle. The all-electric variant offers a
NEDC range of .
The Qin was designed with BYD's next-generation, more efficient, dual-mode, electric powertrain. The BYD Qin uses a smaller
lithium iron phosphate battery
The lithium iron phosphate battery ( battery) or LFP battery (''lithium ferrophosphate'') is a type of lithium-ion battery using lithium iron phosphate () as the cathode material, and a graphitic carbon electrode with a metallic backing as t ...
(LiFePO
4, or LFP) than its predecessor, the F3DM: 13
kWh instead of 16 kWh. The LiFePO
4 battery has a high energy density, can withstand up to 4,000 charges and still retain 80 percent performance, and uses no toxic heavy metals in its manufacture. Due to its improved design, the new battery is about 50 percent smaller and lighter than the one used on the F3DM. The reduced battery pack size translates into reduced price at the expense of the
all-electric range
All-electric range (AER) is the maximum driving range of an electric vehicle using only power from its on-board battery pack to traverse a given driving cycle. In the case of a Battery electric vehicle (BEV), it means the maximum range per rech ...
, which BYD estimates at . The larger battery in the F3DM delivers an all-electric range of . BYD said the Qin would be seven percent more efficient with savings in power and energy in all-electric (EV) mode.
[
In hybrid mode, the Qin uses two ]electric motor
An electric motor is a machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. Most electric motors operate through the interaction between the motor's magnetic field and electric current in a electromagnetic coil, wire winding to gene ...
s and a 1.5-litre turbo-charged direct-injected engine, instead of the 1.0-litre 3-cylinder engine used in the F3DM, to output of power and of torque. According to BYD Auto, the Qin has a top speed of and can accelerate from in less than 5.9 seconds. Thanks to its smaller battery and increased wheelbase, the Qin will have more interior space than the F3DM, and the styling has also been improved over BYD's earlier models, most notably in the car's interior.[
Retail sales of the BYD Qin began in ]Costa Rica
Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica, is a country in Central America. It borders Nicaragua to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, Panama to the southeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, as well as Maritime bo ...
in November 2013, and BYD planned to start sales in other countries in Central and South America in 2014.
Qin EV300
A pure battery electric version, the Qin EV300, was released in China in March 2016.
2019 refresh
Despite the introduction of the Qin Pro in 2018, an updated version of the first-generation Qin is also in production as of 2019. The manufacturer refers to it as the "all-new Qin" (全新秦).
The new model uses the "dragon face" styling of the front end, with some changes to the taillights. The vehicle is shorter than the initial model ( vs ), while the wheelbase and the width remain same.
While the initial model was offered as a plug-in hybrid or with an all-electric drivetrain, the updated model is offered with a petrol engine or with an all-electric drivetrain.
In the all-electric variant, the battery capacity is .
File:BYD Qin second facelift 001.jpg, 2019 BYD Qin facelift front.
File:BYD Qin second facelift 002.jpg, 2019 BYD Qin facelift rear.
File:BYD Qin 2019 facelift 2021062001.jpg, 2019 BYD Qin EV facelift front.
File:BYD Qin 2019 facelift 2021062002.jpg, 2019 BYD Qin EV facelift rear.
File:20230303 BYD Qin taxi in Zhengzhou.jpg, BYD Qin taxi in Zhengzhou
File:BYD Qin EV Facelift Taxi Sanming 01 2022-07-20.jpg, BYD Qin EV Facelift Taxi Sanming
Qin Pro / Qin Plus
The second generation Qin was introduced as the Qin Pro in 2018, and was revised in 2021 as the Qin Plus. With its enlarged dimensions, the sedan occupies a higher segment, commonly known as the "A+ class" in China which is larger than the global C-segment
The C-segment is the 3rd category of the Euro Car Segment, European segments for passenger cars and is described as "medium cars". It is equivalent to the Euro NCAP "small family car" size class, and the compact car category in the United States.
...
.
Qin Pro (2018)
The BYD Qin Pro is the first product of the second generation BYD Qin sedans; it debuted at the 2018 Beijing Auto Show. Initially sold alongside the first generation BYD Qin, it is the first BYD sedan to be designed by BYD's new chief designer, Wolfgang Egger.
The 2019 Qin Pro uses a "Dragon Face" design of the front grille. It is equipped with a rotating DiLink 12.8-inch touchscreen, and a suite of advanced safety and driver-assistance systems including an adaptive cruise control system with stop-and-go (ACC-S&G) and an automatic emergency braking system (AEB). High-strength steel comprises 73.5% of the weight of the car's body in white
Body in white (BIW) is the stage in Automotive industry, automobile manufacturing in which a car body's frame has been joined together, that is before painting and before the motor, chassis sub-assemblies, or trim (glass, door locks/handles, sea ...
(in the petrol variant).
File:2019 BYD Qin (rear).jpg, Rear view
Powertrain
BYD offered three different powertrains for the Qin Pro, including battery electric, plug-in hybrid, and as a conventional gasoline ICE
Ice is water that is frozen into a solid state, typically forming at or below temperatures of 0 ° C, 32 ° F, or 273.15 K. It occurs naturally on Earth, on other planets, in Oort cloud objects, and as interstellar ice. As a naturally oc ...
vehicle.
The plug-in hybrid Qin Pro DM is powered by a 1.5-litre turbo, inline four engine combined with a electric motor to produce a total of . The top speed of the Qin Pro DM is and can accelerate from in 5.9 seconds.
The battery electric Qin Pro EV features a 69.5kWh battery in the top version.
Qin Plus (2021)
For 2021, BYD introduced the Qin Plus () as the refreshed version of the Qin Pro. The Qin Plus was unveiled during the 2020 Guangzhou Auto Show
China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition (), also called Guangzhou International Motor Show () or Auto Guangzhou (), is an auto show held by Guangzhou Zhanlian Exhibition Service Co., Ltd, in November and December every year in the G ...
in November 2020, and went on sale in March 2021. Compared to the Qin Pro, it features restyled front and rear ends, while dimensions are unchanged. It is available as a plug-in hybrid DM-i variant and battery electric version (EV).
BYD started selling a sister model of the Qin Plus DM-i, the Destroyer 05 in March 2022. It is based on the Qin Plus with the same powertrain, with redesigned front and rear fascias and dashboard. While the Qin Plus is sold through Dynasty Network dealerships, the Destroyer 05 is part of the Ocean Network dealership line-up.
Qin Plus DM-i
The Qin Plus DM-i was launched in January 2021 and went on sale in March 2021 in China. It is one of the first BYD products with its updated plug-in hybrid system, the DM-i, alongside the Tang DM-i and Song Plus DM-i crossovers.
Qin Plus DM-i facelift (2025)
The Qin Plus DM-i underwent a major facelift in January 2025, featuring a redesigned front fascia inspired by the Qin L DM-i, a revised rear design, and a refreshed interior. It also received the updated DM-i 5.0 plug-in hybrid system. The Seal 05 DM-i became its Ocean Series counterpart, replacing the Destroyer 05.
File:BYD Qin Plus DM-i facelift 001.jpg, 2025 BYD Qin Plus DM-i
File:BYD Qin Plus DM-i facelift 002.jpg, Rear view
File:BYD Qin Plus DM-i facelift 003.jpg, Interior
= Powertrain
=
The DM-i powertrain of the Qin Plus combines a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine with a single electric motor for a total output of about . The engine's thermal efficiency
In thermodynamics, the thermal efficiency (\eta_) is a dimensionless performance measure of a device that uses thermal energy, such as an internal combustion engine, steam turbine, steam engine, boiler, furnace, refrigerator, ACs etc.
For ...
ratio is claimed to be at the industry-leading 43% as of 2021. Fuel consumption of the Qin Plus does not exceed . Its blade battery provides an electric range of .Atkinson cycle
The Atkinson-cycle engine is a type of internal combustion engine invented by James Atkinson (inventor), James Atkinson in 1882. The Atkinson cycle is designed to provide Energy conversion efficiency, efficiency at the expense of power density.
...
and features cooled exhaust gas recirculation
In internal combustion engines, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is a nitrogen oxide () emissions reduction technique used in petrol engine, petrol/gasoline, diesel engines and some hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicle, hydrogen engines. ...
(EGR), a split cooling system (the engine cooling circuit is split into two parts, one for the cylinder head
In a piston engine, the cylinder head sits above the cylinders, forming the roof of the combustion chamber. In sidevalve engines the head is a simple plate of metal containing the spark plugs and possibly heat dissipation fins. In more modern ...
and one for the block) and an electric water pump. The engine develops a maximum power output of at 6000 rpm, and the peak torque is at 4500 rpm. The compression ratio
The compression ratio is the ratio between the maximum and minimum volume during the compression stage of the power cycle in a piston or Wankel engine.
A fundamental specification for such engines, it can be measured in two different ways. Th ...
is 15.5:1. The car is equipped with an E-CVT transmission.
Qin Plus EV
The top version features a 71.7kWh battery with range. Versions with battery capacities of 47.5 and 57kWh are also available, with ranges of respectively.
Qin Plus EV facelift (2025)
The Qin Plus EV underwent a major facelift in January 2025.
File:BYD Qin Plus (秦Plus) EV facelift 001 China 2025-03-29.jpg, 2025 BYD Qin Plus EV
File:BYD Qin Plus (秦Plus) EV facelift 002 China 2025-03-29.jpg, Rear view
Safety
Qin L DM-i (2024)
The Qin L DM-i () was officially announced just before the Beijing Auto Show
Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (), Beijing Motor Show () or Auto China is an auto show held biennially in Beijing, China since 1990.
2024
The 2024 Auto China show dates are scheduled for 25 April - 4 May 2024 at the New China Interna ...
in April 2024. Marketed alongside the older and smaller Qin Plus, the Qin L is the largest Qin to date with its length spanning over into the mid-size
Mid-size—also known as intermediate—is a vehicle size class which originated in the United States and is used for cars larger than compact cars and smaller than full-size cars. "Large family car" is a UK term and a part of the D-segment in t ...
segment. The Qin L DM-i was launched in China on 28 May 2024, with five variants: 80 km Leading, 80 km Transcendence, 120 km Leading, 120 km Transcendence, and 120 km Excellence.
The Qin L is the first BYD vehicle alongside the similar Seal 06 to use BYD's fifth-generation plug-in hybrid powertrain
In a motor vehicle, the powertrain comprises the main components that generate engine power, power and deliver that power to the road surface, water, or air. This includes the internal combustion engine, engine, transmission (mechanics), trans ...
, which is marketed as DM-i 5.0. BYD claimed a fuel consumption
A fuel is any material that can be made to react with other substances so that it releases energy as thermal energy or to be used for work. The concept was originally applied solely to those materials capable of releasing chemical energy but ...
of and a combined range of over on a tank with a 10 kWh battery.
The exterior of the Qin L DM-i is part of the BYD's Dynasty vehicle series and adopts the series’ Dragon Face design language. The front fascia features illuminated "dragon whiskers" above the headlights, the Qin character on the front underlined by a chrome bar and a large grille. The side features a fastback design and traditional door grab handles. The rear fascia features a full-width LED taillight bar inspired by traditional Chinese knots and an illuminated BYD logo on the rear.
For the suspension, Qin L DM-i uses MacPherson struts
The MacPherson strut is a type of automotive suspension system that uses the top of a telescopic damper as the upper steering pivot. It is widely used in the front suspension of modern vehicles. The name comes from American automotive engineer ...
at the front and new E-type four-link independent suspension
Independent suspension is any automobile suspension system that allows each wheel on the same axle to move vertically (i.e. reacting to a bump on the road) independently of the others. This is contrasted with a beam axle or deDion axle system in ...
at the rear.
BYD claimed the interior of the Qin L DM-i is inspired by Chinese landscape paintings and the interior also incorporates various Chinese knot elements. The interior features DiLink intelligent cockpit with a 8.8-inch LCD instrument cluster, rotatable 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, all-scenario intelligent voice control system, in-car ETC and mobile phone NFC key.
For safety, Qin L DM-i is equipped with DiPilot L2 advanced driving assistant system.
File:BYD Qin L DM-i 008.jpg, Rear view
Powertrain
Qin L EV (2025)
The Qin L EV () was introduced in February 2025. It features distinct styling and a different platform from the Qin L DM-i. Built on the e-Platform 3.0 Evo electric vehicle platform, it adopts a rear-wheel-drive
Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is a form of engine and transmission layout used in motor vehicles, in which the engine drives the rear wheels only. Until the late 20th century, rear-wheel drive was the most common configuration for cars.
Most rear-whee ...
layout. The Qin L EV was launched in China on 27 March 2025refrigerator
A refrigerator, commonly shortened to fridge, is a commercial and home appliance consisting of a thermal insulation, thermally insulated compartment and a heat pump (mechanical, electronic or chemical) that transfers heat from its inside to ...
storage box which also has a heating function, two cup holders, two wireless phone charging pads, and a number of physical buttons. There is a frunk storage.
For safety, the Qin L EV features God’s Eye C (DiPilot 100) intelligent driving assistance system which supports the Navigation On Autopilot (NOA) function on highways.
File:BYD Qin L EV 002.jpg, Rear view
Powertrain
Production and sales
See also
* List of BYD Auto vehicles
BYD Auto is a Chinese car manufacturer that produces a wide range of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery electric vehicle, battery electric (BEV) passenger cars, electric buses, electric trucks and other types of road vehicles. The company had for ...
References
*
{{BYD timeline 2003 to date
Qin
Plug-in hybrid vehicles
Partial zero-emissions vehicles
Cars introduced in 2013
Cars introduced in 2018
Sedans
Compact cars
Cars of China
Production electric cars
Mid-size cars