BYD, one of the fastest growing automakers in international markets, appears ready to launch another electric vehicle to join its growing electric fleet, challenging the dominance of legacy automakers.
The latest model is called the BYD Qin Max EV, and it appears to be an affordable electric sedan that was seen in regulatory approval documents managed by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), and shared by CNC.
The new Qin EV Max is expected to start at around AU$35,000 in the Chinese market.
The latest model will be slightly longer – 4,866mm – than the electric sedan, which has proven popular in Australia with more than 10,000 units delivered since 2023.
Interestingly, although the latest Qin Max is longer than the Stamp, the weights of the car on the regulatory list are much lower.
Two weights are listed at 1670kg and 1795kg. This is fairly light compared to the Seal, which starts at 1,922kg and tops out at 2,185kg, thanks to the larger battery and dual-motor powertrain.
This may also indicate a smaller battery in the Qin Max EV compared to the stamp.
In terms of the powertrain, it will be powered by 120 kW or 240 kW engines. Fueling these motors are two BYD lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery packs with as-yet-undisclosed capacities.
In terms of design, the mid-sized sedan has a sharp front end with an elegant design throughout the shape of the car. From some angles, a slight roundness can also be seen compared to the stamp.
The door handles look more traditional but are more flush with the door to improve aerodynamics and ergonomics.
The regulatory filing also reveals a sunroof option, which will be welcomed by some buyers and is expected to be an option, while standard vehicles are likely to come without it.
There will also be three wheel types on offer across its variants, although the exact wheel size is not known as part of the documentation.
As of now, this model will likely only be offered in the highly competitive Chinese EV market, but it’s worth keeping an eye on as BYD looks to see sales grow in international markets with more affordable models in the near future.
The all-new Qin Max EV is expected to be launched in the coming months, perhaps in time for the upcoming Beijing Auto Show in April next year.
Rees is the founder of Melbourne-based carloop, which specializes in Australian electric vehicle data, insights and trend reporting. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first seven years of his career building transportation infrastructure before starting Carloop. He has a passion for cars, especially electric cars, and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.
