At the Chengdu Auto Show, BYD announced the start of pre-sales for several vehicle models. The official release of information on the new flagship SUV, the Tang family, was made by Wangchao.com, while Haiyang.com introduced the BYD Yuan PLUS Champion Edition Upgrade. These new vehicles are categorized into the “1.5L series” and “1.5T series” based on their power configurations, with pre-sale prices ranging from 176,800 to 246,800 yuan.
In addition to various pre-sale benefits such as a 5,000 yuan trade-in subsidy and a lifetime warranty on the three-electric system for the first non-commercial vehicle owner, the vehicle also comes with a 6-year/150,000 km comprehensive warranty, 6 years or 6 times of complimentary basic maintenance, 2 years of free in-car data (5GB/month), 2 years of free cloud services, and 2 years of free E-Call emergency rescue.
Although this new vehicle is named “Yuan” like the previous model, it is essentially an all-new model and can be considered as a “different breed within the same species.” Recently, we had the opportunity to test-drive this vehicle, and I must say it has many unique features.
Dynamic: Refined, Solid, and Quiet
During the test drive, I was deeply impressed by the BYD Yuan PLUS Champion Edition Upgrade, which has a pre-sale price of 219,800 yuan for the “1.5T 121KM flagship model.” From the name of the model, it can be seen that it adopts a plug-in hybrid powertrain consisting of a 1.5Ti efficient engine and a driving motor, with a pure electric range of up to 121 kilometers. Moreover, it is the top-of-the-line version of this powertrain, equipped with the complete “DiPilot intelligent driving assistance system.”
The first impression the BYD Yuan PLUS Champion Edition Upgrade left on me during the test drive was its precise speed control. As an electric vehicle user, I highly value a vehicle’s power capabilities, which allow for better and more confident speed control for all types of drivers. This is where the benefits and advantages of electrification and intelligence come into play, extending beyond just the speed of acceleration or braking distance. The BYD Yuan PLUS Champion Edition Upgrade left an excellent impression in this regard, especially in congested traffic and during parking, where the vehicle responded very sensitively to the accelerator pedal.
Of course, the responsiveness of the vehicle’s power also depends on the selected driving mode. In Sport mode or pure electric mode, the vehicle becomes more sensitive, and a slight tap on the accelerator pedal gives a certain sense of acceleration. If the driver feels the speed is too fast, releasing the pedal will quickly bring the vehicle to a smooth stop, making the BYD Yuan PLUS Champion Edition Upgrade more user-friendly for many novice drivers, without worrying about getting on the road. This precise setting is also very useful in parking scenarios, allowing for fine-tuning the speed at 1 kilometer per hour, gently touching the parking bumpers if necessary.
The second impression the BYD Yuan PLUS Champion Edition Upgrade left on the road was its stability. The vehicle adopts a front MacPherson strut and rear five-link independent suspension combination, coupled with a relatively short front and rear overhang design, resulting in better control of front-to-back rocking and left-to-right swaying during the driving process.
This is particularly noticeable in the rear seats. As a mid-size car with a length of 4,980 millimeters and a wheelbase of 2,900 millimeters, the BYD Yuan PLUS Champion Edition Upgrade did not feel sluggish or exhibit tail swing, but moved forward in a very stable and decisive manner. Even on some uneven road sections with noticeable bumps, the vehicle did not exhibit excessive bouncing, providing a comfortable ride with only two muffled noises coming from the wheels, without any other discomfort.
This sense of quality is thanks to the tuning of the NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) aspects of the BYD Yuan PLUS Champion Edition Upgrade. Even on smooth road surfaces, the interior of the vehicle remains very quiet. The BYD Yuan PLUS Champion Edition Upgrade not only pays attention to tire and wind noise from the lower part of the body but also considers the sound insulation effect of the roof. During our test drive in a heavy rainstorm, the sound of raindrops hitting the roof was minimal, creating a distinct difference between the interior and exterior of the vehicle.
Overall, the BYD Yuan PLUS Champion Edition Upgrade provides excellent control and stability in terms of driving experience. Its power response is sensitive, and the choice of driving modes gives the driver more freedom. Furthermore, the vehicle’s NVH tuning ensures outstanding noise control inside the cabin, creating a tranquil and comfortable driving environment.
Please note that the above description is based on my knowledge and understanding as ofSeptember 2021, and there may have been updates or changes to the BYD Yuan PLUS Champion Edition Upgrade since then.
Translation: Interior: A sense of luxury without any blind spots
Let’s talk about the interior design and features of the BYD Dolphin DM-i. One of my favorite aspects is its cabin design, which exudes a sense of luxury. For example, the center console is designed like a dolphin’s tail, with a flip-up screen in the middle, air conditioning vents and two phone storage slots below it, presenting a symmetrical and harmonious beauty.
Another highlight is the exquisite crystal gear lever in the BYD Dolphin DM-i. Although it only requires forward and backward movements, its small size is also suitable. The surrounding buttons include the start/stop button, driving mode switch, air conditioning control, volume control, and other functions.
The color scheme is another highlight of the Dolphin DM-i’s cabin. I particularly recommend the “Beautiful Red” color scheme, which is paired with white and a touch of wood trim, creating a clean, soft, and luxurious feeling. This interior design maintains consistency from any angle and lighting condition, without any noticeable variations, creating a sense of luxury without any blind spots.
The cabin also offers excellent functional experiences. The seats provide good support and wrap-around comfort, protecting the occupants while offering comfortable stretching space. The seat texture is not only aesthetically pleasing but also breathable and equipped with ventilation and heating functions.
The Dolphin DM-i’s rear seats have been ergonomically designed with a comfortable reclining angle, allowing passengers to sit here in a comfortable and safe posture, resolving the space issue between the trunk and rear seats.
Despite the Dolphin DM-i’s wheelbase of 2900mm, the actual cabin space feels more spacious than the numbers suggest. Even with the front seats adjusted as far back as possible, the rear still provides ample legroom and headroom for passengers up to 180cm tall.
In terms of other comfort and convenience features, the Dolphin DM-i we test drove was equipped with a 15.6-inch adaptive rotating floating pad with the latest DiLink system. The screen not only rotates but also features digital 3D control, smooth dual-desktop split-screen operation, dynamic wallpapers, and a responsive voice interaction system.
Overall, the cabin experience of the BYD Dolphin DM-i is excellent. Both the driver and passengers can enjoy comfortable seats, a feature-rich central control screen, and spacious space. In summary, sitting in the Dolphin DM-i is more enjoyable than driving it. Whether it’s driving pleasure or convenient features like W-HUD head-up display, it provides a better experience for passengers.
Exterior: Distinctive and handsome is enough
Let’s describe the appearance of the BYD Dolphin DM-i. Although its dynamic performance and outstanding interior have already highlighted its importance, the exterior design still has its unique features.
The exterior of the Dolphin DM-i has a distinctiveness. The front design features a horizontal grille for air intake and cooling, with fish gill-like extensions on the sides, making it instantly recognizable as the DM-i model.
From the side, the Dolphin DM-i adopts a “long front, short rear” body proportion, gradually lowering the body from the rear to the front, giving a sense of readiness and vitality. The overall appearance is both elegant and dynamic.
The design of the windows is also commendable, with hidden B-pillars and smoked black window frames seamlessly blending with the privacy glass in the rear, creating a stylish appearance. In addition, the decision not to add chrome trims here was a wise choice.
At the rear, you can see a dot-matrix taillight cluster and a continuous chrome strip. However, the most distinctive element is the “BYD” badge at the back, which is simple and clear.
To summarize the exterior, the design of the BYD Dolphin DM-i focuses more on elegance without overly exaggerated elements. Perhaps the designer’s goal was to make this car look more dignified, so in terms of appearance, the Dolphin DM-i is very suitable for business travel, showcasing a low-key style.