BYD · 2012–present

BYD Qin

The BYD Qin (Chinese: 比亚迪秦, 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.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: BYD F3DM

All BYD Qin data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

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 82 km (51 mi) 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 520 kilometres (320 mi). 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 50 kilometres (31 mi). The larger battery in the F3DM delivers an all-electric range of 97 kilometres (60 mi). 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 110-kilowatt (148 hp; 150 PS) 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 223 kW (299 hp; 303 PS) of power and 440 N⋅m (325 lb⋅ft; 45 kg⋅m) of torque. According to BYD Auto, the Qin has a top speed of 185 km/h (115 mph) and can accelerate from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in less than

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 154 hp (115 kW; 156 PS) 1.5-litre turbo, inline four engine combined with a 150 hp (112 kW; 152 PS) electric motor to produce a total of 304 hp (227 kW; 308 PS). The top speed of the Qin Pro DM is 200 km/h (124 mph) and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 5.9 seconds. The battery electric Qin Pro EV features a 69.5 kWh battery in the top version.

Qin Plus (2021)

The Qin Plus (Chinese: 秦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.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: BYD Qin
Manufacturer: BYD Auto
Production: 2012–present
Class: Compact car / small family car (C-segment), Mid-size car (D-segment)
Body style: 4-door sedan
Predecessor: BYD F3DM

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4836871CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BYD_QinCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1377844597 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BYD_Qin_Pro_003.jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Jengtingchen · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.