The BYD Qin (pronounced "Chin") is a compact sedan developed by BYD Auto, available as an

all-electric car An electric car, battery electric car, or all-electric car is an automobile that is propelled by one or more electric motors, using only energy stored in batteries. Compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, electric cars are quiet ...

, as a

plug-in hybrid A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a hybrid electric vehicle whose battery pack can be recharged by plugging a charging cable into an external electric power source, in addition to internally by its on-board internal combustion engin ...

and as 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 co ...

vehicle. The plug-in hybrid variant (which was the only variant available in the beginning) currently offers a NEDC all-electric range of and a

hybrid electric powertrain A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is a type of hybrid vehicle that combines a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) system with an electric propulsion system (hybrid vehicle drivetrain). The presence of the electric powertrain is intended ...

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 is the successor of the BYD F3DM, the world's first mass-produced plug-in hybrid automobile which launched in China in 2008. In April 2012, BYD announced that due to its low sales, the F3DM was to be replaced by the Qin. The BYD Qin is the plug-in hybrid version of the BYD Surui (the second-generation BYD F3), and was launched in the Chinese market in August 2012. Deliveries in China began in mid December 2013. Retail sales of the BYD Qin began in Costa Rica in November 2013, and BYD planned to start sales in other countries in Central and South America in 2014. Sales of the plug-in hybrid model in China passed the 50,000 unit milestone in April 2016. From 2014 until mid-2018, the Qin was the all-time top-selling highway legal plug-in passenger car in China. Since inception, cumulative Qin plug-in hybrid sales in China totaled 136,818 units through December 2018 (accounting for both generations of the plug-in hybrid model). The BYD Qin was the top selling plug-in electric car in China in 2014 and 2015, and ranked as the second top selling plug-in hybrid model in 2016. The Qin was the world's second best selling plug-in hybrid car in 2015, and also ranked fifth in 2015 among the world's top selling plug-in electric cars. ''The

Tesla Model S The Tesla Model S is a battery-powered liftback car serving as the flagship model of Tesla, Inc. The Model S features a dual-motor, all-wheel drive layout, although earlier versions of the Model S featured a rear-motor and rear-wheel drive ...

was the top selling plug-in electric car in 2015 (50,366), followed by the

Nissan Leaf The , stylized as LEAF, is a compact five-door hatchback battery electric vehicle (BEV) manufactured by Nissan. It was introduced in Japan and the United States in December 2010, and its second generation was introduced in October 2017. The L ...

(about 43,600), the Mitsubishi Outlander P-HEV (about 43,000), the BYD Qin (31,898) and the

BMW i3 The BMW i3 is a B-segment, high-roof hatchback manufactured and marketed by BMW with an electric powertrain using rear-wheel drive via a single-speed transmission and an underfloor lithium-ion battery pack and an optional range-extending p ...

(24,057).'' , the Qin plug-in hybrid listed sixth among the world's top ten best-selling plug-in electric cars ever. '', cumulative global sales of the top selling plug-in electric cars were led by the Nissan Leaf (over 228,000), followed by the

(129,393), Volt/Ampera family (about 117,300), Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (about 107,400), Toyota Prius PHV (over 75,400), BYD Qin (56,191), Renault Zoe (51,193),

(around 49,500), Mitsubishi i-MiEV family (about 37,600) and BYD Tang (37,509).'' The all-electric variant, the Qin EV300, totaled 10,656 units sold between March and December 2016. The second generation model includes two variants called the BYD Qin Pro and BYD Qin Plus. The BYD Qin Pro was launched in September 2018, while the BYD Qin Plus was launched in 2021. An updated version of the first generation, known as the "all-new Qin", is sold alongside the second generation Qin variants.

First generation

The BYD Qin

concept car A concept car (also known as a concept vehicle, show vehicle or prototype) is a car made to showcase new styling and/or new technology. They are often exhibited at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or ...

was unveiled at the 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. It was named after the

Qin dynasty The Qin dynasty ( ; zh, c=秦朝, p=Qín cháo, w=), or Ch'in dynasty in Wade–Giles romanization ( zh, c=, p=, w=Ch'in ch'ao), was the first dynasty of Imperial China. Named for its heartland in Qin state (modern Gansu and Shaanxi), ...

, China's first imperial dynasty. At launch, the BYD Qin started at 189,800 rmb before any applicable government subsidies and tax exemptions were available for eco-friendly vehicles. The EV300 starts at 259,800 rmb before incentives. 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 (LiFePO₄, or LFP) than its predecessor, the F3DM: 13

kWh A kilowatt-hour (unit symbol: kW⋅h or kW h; commonly written as kWh) is a unit of energy: one kilowatt of power for one hour. In terms of SI derived units with special names, it equals 3.6 megajoules (MJ). Kilowatt-hours are a common bil ...

instead of 16 kWh. The LiFePO₄ 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, 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 an electrical 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 wire winding to generate forc ...

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. The Qin features two large TFT LCD displays on the dashboard, equipped with the BYD "i" intelligent cloud system platform incorporating features like telematics, cloud-computing and a full range of services 24 hours a day. Pre-facelift styling (2014–2017) File:2014 BYD Qin (pre-facelift), front 8.12.18.jpg, Pre-facelift BYD Qin front. File:2016 BYD Qin (pre-facelift), rear 8.18.18.jpg, Pre-facelift BYD Qin rear. Post-facelift styling (2018) File:2018 BYD Qin (facelift), front 8.18.18.jpg, BYD Qin facelift front. File:2018 BYD Qin (facelift) (2), rear 8.18.18.jpg, BYD Qin facelift rear.

BYD Qin EV300

A pure battery electric version, the Qin EV300, was released in China in March 2016. The BYD Qin EV300 is powered by a 218 hp electric motor and a battery pack that is expected to deliver a range of . Top speed is . There are four versions of the Qin EV300, with pricing ranging between 259,800 and 309,800 rmb, before any applicable government subsidies and tax exemptions. Sales during its first month in the Chinese market totalled 229 units. ''A total of 1,143 BYD Qin plug-in hybrids and 229 all-electric variants were sold in China in March 2016.'' File:BYD Qin EV 02 China 2016-04-13.jpg, BYD Qin EV300.

Updated model (first generation model based)

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 most obvious styling difference compared to the initial model is the "dragon face" styling of the front end. There are also some changes to the taillights. Since the model is essentially a mid cycle facelift, the side profile, including the shape of the side windows, has not changed much compared to the initial model. The vehicle is actually 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.

Second generation (Pro)

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. BYD's website states that the 2019 Qin Pro will have a "Dragon Face" design of the front grille and a rotating DiLink 12.8 inch touchscreen with

artificial intelligence Artificial intelligence (AI) is intelligence—perceiving, synthesizing, and inferring information—demonstrated by machine A machine is a physical system using Power (physics), power to apply Force, forces and control Motion, moveme ...

voice interaction system. It will have 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 (in the gasoline variant).

Powertrain

BYD offers three different powertrains on the model: the Qin Pro is available as an all-electric car, as a plug-in hybrid and as a conventional gasoline ICE vehicle. Some other models in the company's lineup, including the BYD Song, the BYD Tang and the BYD Song MAX also offer a choice of three different powertrains. The BYD Qin Pro DM (the plug-in hybrid) 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 BYD Qin Pro is and can accelerate from in 5.9 seconds. The BYD Qin Pro EV (the all-electric variant) features a battery in the top version. The newly launched BYD Qin Pro EV sold 1,003 units in September 2018, its first month on the market. File:BYD Qin II 001.jpg, BYD Qin Pro (front) File:BYD Qin II 002.jpg, BYD Qin Pro (rear)

Second generation (Plus)

For 2021, BYD launched another variant of the Qin called the Qin Plus, based on the same platform as the Qin Pro. The BYD Qin Plus was unveiled during the 2020 Guangzhou Auto Show on November 20, 2020; compared to the Qin Pro, it features restyled front and rear ends, while dimensions are exactly the same as in the Qin Pro. It is available as an all-electric car and as a plug-in hybrid. File:BYD Qin Plus 003.jpg, BYD Qin Plus DM-i(front) File:BYD Qin Plus 002.jpg, BYD Qin Plus DM-i(rear)

Qin Plus DM-i (Plug-in hybrid variant)

Initially, the BYD Qin Plus was only available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. It is BYD's latest hybrid system called the DM-i. The Qin Plus was one of the first BYD products with the DM-i system to be introduced to the market, alongside the Tang DM-i and Song Plus DM-i crossovers; the market launch event was in January 2021. 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 ratio is claimed to be at the industry-leading 43% as of 2021. Fuel consumption of the Qin Plus does not exceed . The Qin Plus sprints from in under four seconds and has over of combined range. Its " blade battery" provides an electric range of 50–120 km. The car is equipped with an E-CVT transmission. The car's drivetrain was named "cloud-plug-in hybrid" (Xiaoyun-Plug-in hybrid) by the manufacturer. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine of the Qin Plus DM-i uses the Atkinson cycle and features cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), a split cooling system (the engine cooling circuit is split into two parts, one for the cylinder head 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 is 15.5:1 and it meets the National VI B emission standard in China. File:BYD Qin Plus DM-i 001.jpg, BYD Qin Plus DM-i(front) File:BYD Qin Plus DM-i 002.jpg, BYD Qin Plus DM-i(rear)

Qin Plus EV (all-electric variant)

The top version features a battery with 600 km range and costs $28,200 (184,620 Chinese yuan) before incentives. Versions with batteries are also available, with ranges of respectively. File:BYD Qin Plus EV 001.jpg, BYD Qin Plus EV

Interior

In terms of the interior, the Qin Plus DM-i is equipped with a floating LCD instrument panel and a floating large-size central control screen, combined with a three-spoke flat-bottom multifunction steering wheel.

Production and sales

The BYD Qin was the top selling plug-in electric car in China in 2014 and ranked seventh in 2014 among the world's top ten best selling plug-in cars. ''A total of 14,747 Qins were sold in China in 2014.'' In May 2015, Qin sales passed the 25,000 units milestone to become the seventh plug-in to achieve that mark globally. ''A total of 27,351 Qins have been sold in China since its introduction through May 2015.'' The BYD Qin was the world's second best selling plug-in hybrid car in 2015 and also ranked fifth in 2015 among the world's top selling plug-in electric cars. Sales of the Qin plug-in hybrid model in China passed the 50,000 unit milestone in April 2016, the sixth plug-in electric car to achieve that mark. , the Qin plug-in hybrid was listed sixth among the world's all-time top ten best-selling plug-in electric cars.

China

After missing the original market launch of August 2013, retail deliveries were rescheduled to begin in Shenzhen in November 2013 and then pushed back until December 2013. The carmaker delayed the launch to coincide with the roll out of local government subsidies for new energy vehicles. Deliveries began in December 2013. Prices started at 189,800 rmb, before a 35,000 rmb central government subsidy available for eco-friendly vehicles, in addition to existing local incentives. The high end trim was priced at 209,800 rmb before incentives. A total of 142 units were sold in China in December 2013. Sales totalled 14,747 units in 2014, which made the Qin the top selling plug-in electric car in China in 2014 and the all-time top selling plug-in passenger car in the country. In 2015, with 31,898 units sold, the Qin was the top selling plug-in passenger car in China for the second year running and remained the all-time top selling passenger new energy vehicle in China. ''A total of 31,898 Qins were sold in China in 2015.'' ''A total of 16,736 Kandi EVs, 16,488 BAIC E-Series EVs, and 15,467 Zotye Z100 EVs were sold in China in 2015.'' A total of 21,868 Qins were sold in 2016, which made it the second best-selling plug-in car in the country in 2016 after the BYD Tang. In addition, 10,656 units of the all-electric variant EV300 were sold between March and December 2016. ''Three BYD Auto models topped the Chinese ranking of best-selling new energy passenger cars in 2016. The BYD Tang SUV was the top selling plug-in electric car in China in 2016 with 31,405 units sold, followed by the BYD Qin with 21,868 units sold, and ranking third overall in 2016 was the BYD e6 with 20,605 units.'' Sales totaled 20,738 units in 2017 and 47,425 units in 2018. The second generation BYD Qin ProEV was launched in September 2018. The all-electric variant sold a total of 10,527 units in 2018. Since inception, cumulative Qin plug-in hybrid sales in China totaled 136,818 units through December 2018, accounting for both generations of the dual mode (DM) model. ''During 2017, BYD Qin sales totaled 20,738 units and BYD Tang totaled 14,592 units.'' ''Sales of the BYD Qin totaled 47,425 units in 2018, and the Qin BEV sold 10,527 units.''

Latin America

Retail sales of the BYD Qin began in Costa Rica in November 2013 at a price starting at . BYD planned to begin sales in other

Latin American Latin Americans ( es, Latinoamericanos; pt, Latino-americanos; ) are the citizens of Latin American countries (or people with cultural, ancestral or national origins in Latin America). Latin American countries and their diasporas are multi-et ...

countries in 2014.

References

External links

BYD Qin official website

Images of the BYD Qin concept at the 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition">Images of the BYD Qin concept at the 2012 Qin Plug-in hybrid vehicles">Beijing International Automotive Exhibition
{{BYD timeline 2003 to date BYD vehicles">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