This Camry-rivaling BYD Qin L pairs a 1.5L engine with a 160 kW motor

Plug-in hybrids are the new hot spots for Chinese car makers. Chinese subsidies treat plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and fully electric battery EVs (BEVs) the same, lumping them all under the New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) category. While BEVs are facing intense price pressure, PHEVs are breathing easier, thus explains why Chinese manufacturers busy putting engines are back into their EVs.

This soon-to-be launched BYD Qin L has just been previewed in China. It’s a D-segment Toyota Camry-size plug-in hybrid sedan, positioned between the flagship E-segment BYD Han and the smaller C-segment BYD Qin Plus.

Prices have yet to be announced, but BYD says the Qin L will be powered by BYD’s 5th generation DM-i hybrid technology.

A 1.5-litre naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine is paired with a 160 kW (217 PS) electric motor, driven by a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery of between 10.08 kWh to 15.9 kWh capacity, depending on variant.

BYD says the Qin L will have between 60 km to 90 km of EV-only driving range.

The BYD Qin L will measure 4,830 mm long, 1,900 mm in wide, and 1,495 mm tall, with a 2,790 mm wheelbase. For reference, a Toyota Camry (Malaysia market model) measures 4,885 mm long, 1,840 mm wide, 1,445 mm tall, with a 2,825 mm wheelbase.

The BYD Seal, which is only sold as a BEV, is slightly shorter, at 4,800 mm long, 1,875 mm wide, 1,460 mm tall. However, as a fully electric BEV, the Seal has a longer 2,920 mm wheelbase.

Prices of the BYD Qin L have yet to be announced, but the smaller BYD Qin Plus DM-i tops out at 125,800 Yuan (~RM 83.3k), while the flagship BYD Han DM-i starts from 169,800 Yuan (~RM 112.4k). The Qin L is likely to be priced in the circa 130,000 Yuan to 160,000 Yuan range.

For reference, the regular hybrid-only Toyota Camry, which doesn't benefit from NEV subsidies, starts from 179,800 Yuan (~RM 119.8k).