The BYD Qin (, after the Qin dynasty) is a series of compact and mid-size sedans produced by BYD Auto since 2012. The Qin started out as the plug-in hybrid version of the BYD Surui, and was introduced in the Chinese market in August 2012. Currently, the Qin is available as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), battery electric vehicle (BEV), and previously an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle.
The Qin is the successor of the BYD F3DM, the world's first mass-produced 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 second-generation BYD F3), 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 March, BYD released a larger, mid-size Qin variant marketed as the BYD Qin L DM-i, which is solely equipped with the DM-i 5.0 PHEV powertrain. In 2025, a battery electric counterpart was introduced as the BYD Qin L EV.
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Qin (2012–2024)
The BYD Qin concept car was unveiled at the 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. It was named after the Qin dynasty, 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 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 (LiFePO4, or LFP) than its predecessor, the F3DM: 13 kWh 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 motors 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 in November 2013, and BYD planned to start sales in other countries in Central and South America in 2014.
Pre-facelift styling (2012–2017)
Post-facelift styling (2017–2019)
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.
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 . It is available in two trims: Travel and High Endurance with 400 kilometres of range for the Travel version and 421 kilometres for the High Endurance version.
Qin Pro (2018)
The second generation Qin was introduced as the Qin Pro in 2018. 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.
Qin Pro (2018) The BYD Qin Pro 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 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 (in the petrol variant).
Powertrain BYD offered three different powertrains for the Qin Pro, including battery electric, plug-in hybrid, and as a conventional petrol ICE 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)
The Qin Plus () was initially revealed in 2021 as the refreshed version of the Qin Pro, with aesthetic changes and additional powertrain updates. Subsequently, a second generation was announced in 2026.
Qin L DM-i (2024)
The Qin L DM-i is the largest model in the Qin lineup. It is a plug-in hybrid sedan belonging to the D-segment (mid-size) and was sold since 2024. Along its sister model, the Seal 06 DM-i, it was the first model to debut BYD's DM-i 5.0 powertrain technology.
Qin L EV (2025)
The Qin L EV is a mid-size battery-electric sedan introduced in 2025. Despite sharing a similar name to the Qin L DM-i, it is completely structurally unrelated to it and rides on the e-Platform 3.0 Evo battery electric platform with a rear-wheel-drive layout. It has a sister model, the Seal 06 EV.
Qin Max (2026)
The Qin Max has been launched in the middle of 2026 as a more upmarket, top-of-the range addition to the "Qin" model family. It shares most of its bodywork with the L variant but with an elongated body, a differentiated front and rear fascia and a power lineup including DM-i and EV variants.https://carnewschina.com/2026/07/31/byd-qin-max-sedan-arrived-at-dealers-ahead-of-launch-scheduled-for-august-13/
Production and sales +YearChinaQinQin EVQin Pro (ICE)Qin Pro DM/EVQin Plus DMQin Plus EVQin L Qin L EVTotal201525,57925,579201622,61410,18232,796201720,6234,87325,496201838,8597,8516,91612,24565,87120198,3285,50317,77220,58652,189202016,59941,62112,63811,32682,18420212,08619,4772,138712169,80756,151194,220202233,792195,349119,933349,074202326,282327,371128,492482,14520247,909304,388175,637229,591709,616202512,358276,892110,433192,62372,048664,354
See also List of BYD Auto vehicles
References