Chinese brand BYD, the biggest electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer in the world, is about to make its debut here in Malaysia. And one of the cars confirmed to launch in our market is this BYD e6 MPV. Here are 11 photos of the soon-to-be Malaysia’s first electric MPV.

To elaborate more, when it was announced that Sime Darby Motors has signed a deal with BYD to become the manufacturer’s official distributor in Malaysia, they also announced they will be launching two models to break the ice.

They are the BYD Atto 3 full electric SUV and this BYD e6 MPV. Read more about the Atto 3 in the link below.

Also read: Confirmed for Malaysia, here's 24 photos of the BYD Atto 3, aka Yuan Plus in China; 510 km range, 204 PS/ 310 Nm

In case you haven’t noticed, while car manufacturers in Malaysia are slowly expanding their EV offerings in our country, nobody has yet launched a full-electric MPV. If all goes to plan, Sime Darby is looking to fill that niche with the e6.

The e6 is heavily based on the BYD Song Max in China. We say “heavily based” because unlike the Atto 3 and Yuan Plus which are basically the same cars with different names like the Perodua Myvi and the Daihatsu Sirion, the Song Max and the e6 are very different from each other.

The biggest difference is the heart that powers both models. The Song Max is not an EV but a mild hybrid the e6 is a fully electric MPV propelled by two electric motors that produce 95 PS and 180 Nm.

This explains the varying looks between the two cars, while the Song Max’s front fascia features a traditional front grille, the e6 has a solid panel with a perforated pattern.

Also read: BYD to enter Malaysia via Sime Darby Motors, Atto 3 and e6 confirmed to launch

BYD calls the front fascia on the e6 the Dragon Face design language. Instead of sporty, the e6 has an overall futuristic look thanks to the design language.

On the side, the heavy shoulder lines make the EV looks longer than it is however, the rear features a rather traditional look at odds with the futuristic front end.

While the exterior has a futuristic spaceship look, the same cannot be said for the interior. The e6 features an all-black interior with a rather basic design. A glossy black trim insert spans the width of the dashboard while a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment takes centre stage.

On the safety front, the e6 in Singapore only comes with four airbags to boast and no ADAS. We predict that this will also be the case for the e6 that will be launched in Malaysia.

Also read: BYD to CKD EVs in Thailand and become production hub for Southeast Asia

Let’s talk about the battery, like the Atto 3, the e6 also features BYD’s latest Blade Battery technology. BYD claims the battery is safer than other EV batteries as it is proven to be less prone to fire and more durable.

The e6 gets a 71.7 kWh battery that provides a 522 km range based on the WLTP. The onboard charger allows up to 40 kW for AC charging while DC charging is up to 60 kW.

We can’t give you the exact price for the BYD e6 in Singapore as they are influenced by the country’s COE, but we can give you the price for the e6 in Thailand which is THB 1,390,000 (~ RM 170,000).

In Australia, the e6 will go for under AUD 40,000 (~ RM 120,000), which is cheaper than the BYD Atto 3. The e6’s prices will likely not stray too far from the prices overseas and will possibly become the cheapest EV in Malaysia when it arrives.

Also read: Cheapest EV in Malaysia soon? The BYD e6 is coming and here's what you need to know