After years of technological development and market testing, BYD’s DM hybrid technology has reached its fifth generation. It has evolved from route advantages to technological advantages. DM now sets the standard for hybrids. BYD claims that the fifth generation DM refreshes plug-in hybrid technology with its benefits of speed, efficiency, quietness, smoothness, and eco-friendliness. Recently, in Xi’an, the BYD Qin L DM-i launched at a price of 99,800 yuan (13820$). Consumers were shocked by the price and impressed by the ultra-low fuel consumption of the DM-i technology. The official figure for fuel consumption in low battery mode is 3.8L/100KM. Today, another major model from the BYD dynasty family, the Song L DM-i, also features the fifth generation DM. We conducted fuel consumption tests in low battery mode to better understand its energy-saving advantages. Why focus on “efficiency” when discussing the fifth generation DM? The fifth generation DM benefits from an electric-driven power structure, full-temperature vehicle thermal management, and an integrated electronic architecture. Specifically, the high-efficiency engine for the fifth generation DM achieves a global production record of 46.06% thermal efficiency. The power battery uses a specialized blade battery, which increases energy density by 15.9%. This creates a perfect partnership between fuel and electricity.
In a previous press conference, BYD announced its system boasts the world’s lowest fuel consumption of 2.9L per 100 kilometers and the longest comprehensive range of 2100 kilometers. The hybrid models using BYD’s fifth-generation DM technology achieve nearly three times the range of fuel vehicles with similar tank capacity. With improvements in power, thermal management, and intelligent electric systems, the fifth-generation DM has significantly surpassed the fourth generation. What about the Song L DM-i?
In the Song family, the Song L stands out. The Song L DM-i is the top choice for families upgrading to hybrid models. It fills the product gap between the Song and Tang in the Dynasty lineup.
Its overall style continues the design language of the Dynasty series. The front features a typical X-shaped grille common in sports cars. To accommodate air intake, the Song L DM-i uses a wide-mouth design. It includes an active grille, making the design more flamboyant and less serious. Additionally, the headlight assembly retains a long, flat design, maintaining a sporty feel.
The car’s side profile follows a conventional rounded design. It features several strong character lines. The windows appear flat. The car sits low to the ground. The new model measures 4780mm in length, 1898mm in width, and 1670mm in height. Its wheelbase is 2782mm.
The rear has strong visual features. The roofline transitions smoothly from the A-pillar to the sloping C-pillar. The D-pillar has a tilted shape but still maintains space.
The rear design looks clean. It drops the ornate characters from the Song model. It features only the simple letters “BYD.” The glowing design remains. The removal of some details enhances the overall sophistication.
The cabin design of the Song L DM-i remains family-oriented. The central control area features a symmetrical dual-layer floating T-shaped design. It includes a 10.25-inch full LCD instrument panel. The center has a rotating adaptive floating PAD. Inside the “DiLink Smart Cabin,” the hardware uses a high-performance DiLink smart connectivity system. This system is customized by BYD and Qualcomm Snapdragon. It employs a 6-nanometer process chip. The car system is DiLink100. The driving assistance system is the DiPilot smart driving assistance system, which includes lane-keeping functionality.
The Song L DM-i features full-frame doors. It has pop-out hidden door handles outside and traditional handles inside. Our test car uses ergonomic seats. The padding strikes a balance between softness and firmness. The design leans towards a homey style, yet the seats remain comfortable without strong wrapping or support. The front seats adjust in multiple directions and offer ventilation and heating. The rear seats match the front, maintaining an elegant home-like style.
The Song L DM-i is built on BYD’s new generation plug-in hybrid platform. It features a 1.5L engine paired with a hybrid system. Like the Qin L, it uses fifth-generation DM hybrid technology. Its larger size allows for a bigger battery pack. The electric range is 75KM, 112KM, or 160KM. For many, this range is enough for a week of commuting. Upcoming tests will show how low the fuel consumption of the Song L DM-i can go. Fuel consumption test for the Song L DM-i.
This test focused on driving in urban and rural roads. The total distance reached nearly 110 km without detours. The route included congested urban areas, regular rural roads, and highways with inclines. This setup simulated our daily driving conditions. Two passengers sat in the car. Unfortunately, it rained that day. The rain increased the test’s difficulty. It affected the driver’s visibility and the tire grip. The air conditioning system also faced a heavier load.
The vehicle shows a starting battery level of 17% and a range of 1500 km. We set the SOC at 20% to ensure power. We did not adjust the energy recovery. The drive mode is HEV hybrid, and the driving mode is ECO. In Shenzhen’s 35-degree heat, we set the air conditioning to automatic at 24 degrees. For fuel consumption, BYD provided an accurate formula. This test simulates a real driving scenario under low battery conditions. It aims for authenticity in the low battery fuel consumption test.
The Song L DM-i is a sizable SUV. It aims for comfort, reflecting its family-oriented design. It drives smoothly and feels gentle, typical of BYD. Before the engine engages in direct drive, its power delivery resembles many current electric vehicles. The experience feels like a pure electric car.
Under low battery and HEV strategy, the power system favors the engine as a generator. The motor provides output. The engine runs almost continuously. The operation remains smooth. Unless you listen carefully, you hardly notice it working. The NVH level is high.
Energy savings depend on your driving habits. Your judgment and right foot play crucial roles. Start smoothly but not too slowly. In urban driving, the fuel consumption can hover around 3 liters. The engine generates excess energy, converting it into electricity. At times, the energy consumption can even show a negative value. Keep your right foot steady for efficient cruising. This lowers energy use continuously. Good visibility and defensive driving also enhance energy savings. In the city, always observe the road and traffic lights. Anticipate the actions of nearby drivers and pedestrians. Prepare in advance to minimize energy consumption and improve safety.
The Song L DM-i features a front MacPherson and rear multi-link independent suspension. This setup is a classic choice. The body uses 75.7% high-strength steel, enhancing safety. On open roads, the suspension shows its capabilities. It feels firm and premium. The body maintains good follow-through, even on rough surfaces. There is no cheap feeling of looseness in the front or rear. The driving quality is excellent.
BYD has mastered the three electric systems. The engine not only drives the vehicle but also charges the battery with excess energy. It achieves a high charging efficiency, quickly bringing the battery to 20% state of charge before shutting down. Besides charging the battery, regenerative braking helps during driving. Even without strong regenerative settings, releasing the accelerator allows energy recovery during smooth deceleration. This ensures no energy goes to waste.
Energy saving is crucial. Speed matters. The Song L DM-I suits urban life. Engineers considered this. The optimal speed range is 50-60 km/h. This range offers the best fuel efficiency. In most cases, we maintain a speed of 50 km/h. The displayed fuel consumption stays around 3.1 L/100 km for a long time. On highways and mountain roads, speed increases. The engine engages more often, raising fuel consumption. However, on downhill sections, you can use regenerative braking to recharge the battery. With high efficiency, our displayed combined fuel consumption peaks at about 3.6 L/100 km. This figure is impressive for an SUV.
I am satisfied with this result. Did it meet your expectations for the “province”? Editor’s summary: 2.32L/100KM. This is our test result for the Song DM-i’s fuel consumption when the battery is low. This low fuel consumption reflects the hard work of BYD engineers. It shows the perseverance of China’s new energy sector. The BYD Song L DM-i sets an example. As BYD President Wang Chuanfu said at the press conference, “The world’s most advanced plug-in hybrid technology is in China! The global plug-in hybrid era has arrived in China!”