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When it comes to BYD's pure electric vehicles, the models that often come to mind are Han EV, Seal, Yuan PLUS, and Dolphin, which have monthly sales of over 10.000. even reaching 20.000 units. However, BYD's corresponding model in the high-demand household A-class sedan market, the Qin PLUS EV, has received relatively less attention.
This doesn’t imply that the Qin PLUS EV lacks strength. In fact, within the 150.000 RMB electric sedan market, the Qin PLUS EV has consistently ranked among the top in sales, with 8.363 units sold in February this year, second only to the AION S from GAC Aion. Yet, the Qin PLUS EV seems overshadowed by the shining success of the Qin PLUS DM-i.
Following the release of the Qin PLUS DM-i Champion Edition, which brought the entry-level price below 100.000 RMB, BYD has now introduced the 2023 Champion Edition of the Qin PLUS EV, significantly lowering its price threshold as well. Considering the scarcity of electric sedans priced below 150.000 RMB, today we'll take a look at whether the Qin PLUS EV Champion Edition is a better choice.
What Upgrades Does the Qin PLUS EV Champion Edition Offer?
Similar to the DM-i hybrid version, the Qin PLUS EV Champion Edition is an annual facelift with minimal changes in appearance and interior, featuring only slight tweaks and adjustments to its functional configurations. However, compared to the DM-i Champion Edition, the new all-electric version has made substantial upgrades to its core powertrain.
1. Price reduction of 12.000 RMB for the main configurations
Starting with the price, excluding versions aimed at ride-hailing services, the current Qin PLUS EV ranges between 141.800 RMB and 178.800 RMB, while the new Champion Edition is priced between 129.800 RMB and 176.800 RMB, marking a 12.000 RMB reduction in the entry-level price. Additionally, the new edition switches from the NEDC to the CLTC driving cycle for range calculation, showing a slight increase in range, but the versions offering 420/510/610 km essentially correspond to the previous 400/500/600 km models.
More specifically, both the 400 km and 500 km variants of the Qin PLUS EV Champion Edition see a 12.000 RMB price reduction, while the 600 km range version remains high at 176.800 RMB, only dropping by 2.000 RMB compared to the current model. This means that the price adjustment mainly targets the 400 km and 500 km range versions.
2. Upgraded e-platform 3.0 core technology
BYD's popular models such as the Seal, Dolphin, and Yuan PLUS all use the dedicated e-platform 3.0 for electric vehicles. In contrast, the Qin PLUS EV is still built on a platform that accommodates both hybrid and electric models, which can somewhat be seen as a "conversion from fuel to electric." The most important upgrade in the Qin PLUS EV Champion Edition is the adoption of "e-platform 3.0 core technology."
Notably, the official description uses "e-platform 3.0 core technology" rather than "e-platform 3.0." because the platform architecture of the Qin PLUS EV remains unchanged, only incorporating parts of the e-platform 3.0 technology. Specifically, this refers to the eight-in-one electric powertrain, which integrates core components to a much higher degree.
Technically speaking, BYD's eight-in-one electric powertrain is quite advanced, reducing its size and weight by 10% compared to the previous generation and improving space utilization. However, for customers, since the vehicle retains the old platform and its internal design is unchanged, the size advantage of the new powertrain doesn't translate into better space utilization.
In terms of performance and efficiency, the Champion Edition shows some improvement, but the extent is modest. For instance, its electricity consumption per 100 km has decreased by 3.3%. Power-wise, the 400 km and 500 km versions have the same power and torque specifications as the previous model, while the 600 km version sees a 20 horsepower increase in power but a 30 Nm decrease in peak torque. As a result, its 0-50 km/h acceleration time has improved from 4 seconds to 3.8 seconds.
Interestingly, BYD hasn't provided the 0-100 km/h acceleration time for the Qin PLUS EV Champion Edition, only releasing the 0-50 km/h figure. This is likely because the Qin PLUS EV's power performance is average compared to other electric cars in its class. Additionally, with only 180 Nm of peak torque, the 400 km and 500 km versions have a top speed of 130 km/h, which is notably lower than similarly priced gasoline sedans and is relatively weak among electric vehicles in this segment.
In summary, the improvements to the Qin PLUS EV Champion Edition’s powertrain result in only minor gains in performance and range, with the main focus being on cost control, as reflected in its price.
3. Small upgrades in features and configurations
Addressing the issue with the small instrument cluster
The Qin PLUS EV Champion Edition keeps the same design as the current version but resolves a major complaint by replacing the previous 3.5-inch embedded screen on the dashboard with an 8.8-inch floating all-digital instrument cluster. The small screen was previously criticized for its small size and low brightness.
Aside from this, there aren't many changes in the Qin PLUS EV Champion Edition. Upon closely comparing the configuration sheets, it’s evident that while the price has dropped by over 10.000 RMB, the entry-level version has lost many features compared to the current base model.
Features like six airbags, L2-level driver assistance, electric seat adjustment for the driver, and seat heating for the front and rear have seen only a 2.000-5.000 RMB price reduction. Additionally, wireless phone charging is now priced 18.000 RMB higher than the current model. Overall, for similarly equipped versions, the Qin PLUS EV Champion Edition has reduced its price by no more than 5.000 RMB compared to the previous model.
For the 420 and 510 km versions, the entry-level model has dropped features like side curtain airbags, an electric sunroof, electric seat adjustment, and one-touch window control for all four windows. To get these features, you’ll need to opt for the higher-tier model, which costs 7.000-10.000 RMB more.
This means the price reduction of the Champion Edition was achieved in part by reducing features.
Now that we’ve covered the main upgrades, how competitive is the newly optimized Qin PLUS EV in the electric sedan market?
Leading in Sales, But Performance is Unspectacular
In the electric vehicle market, it’s common to see models with monthly sales exceeding 10.000 or even 20.000 units, mainly in the sub-50.000 RMB microcar segment like the Wuling Hongguang MINI and Changan Lumin, or high-end models like the Han EV, Tesla Model Y, and Model 3. However, the mid-range segment priced between 100.000 and 200.000 RMB has fewer best-selling models, especially in the electric sedan category, where top-selling vehicles are scarce.
In this segment, apart from the AION S and BYD’s Qin PLUS EV, the other models trail far behind in sales. For instance, Geely’s Geometry A sold less than 3.000 units in February, while the Qin PLUS EV stands out as a top performer in this relatively small market.
Nevertheless, the Qin PLUS EV’s success is largely due to BYD’s strong brand presence in the new energy market. In terms of product strength alone, even the recently launched Qin PLUS EV Champion Edition faces certain disadvantages compared to its competitors.
Power-wise, the 180 Nm output of the Qin PLUS EV’s main versions is comparable to a small-displacement naturally aspirated gasoline engine. In contrast, competitors like the AION S and Geometry A offer significantly higher power outputs. Models like the slightly pricier XPeng P5. Deep Blue SL03 EV, and Leapmotor C01 have power levels that rival or surpass those of 2.0T turbocharged gasoline engines.
While the Qin PLUS EV’s power might suffice for city driving, it lacks acceleration power on highways. Additionally, with its top speed capped at 130 km/h, it struggles with acceleration and overtaking at higher speeds. Meanwhile, models like the AION S, Geometry A, and XPeng P5 have top speeds exceeding 150 km/h, addressing this issue.
In conclusion, the Qin PLUS EV’s success is not solely based on its product strength. BYD’s technological expertise in the new energy sector hasn’t directly translated into superior power, performance, or range for the Qin PLUS EV. Instead, consumers are likely choosing it due to BYD’s strong brand influence.
Final Thoughts
The electric vehicle market has a barbell-shaped structure, with models priced below 100.000 RMB dominating the low-end segment, while premium brands like Tesla, Li Auto, and NIO excel at the high end. However, the 100.000-150.000 RMB range is crucial for the household vehicle market, where cars need to meet demands for range, power, space, and safety at an affordable price. This segment is the hardest to crack.
At present, BYD has an advantage in this market due to its large sales volume, which allows for cost compression. Both the DM-i Champion Edition and the EV Champion Edition are products that capitalize on this cost advantage to further expand market share. The essence of the Champion Edition lies in its low price.
As our analysis shows, the Qin PLUS EV isn’t an exceptionally strong product in terms of performance. However, given BYD’s brand momentum, if you’re looking for an entry-level electric sedan priced at 130.000 RMB or below, the Qin PLUS EV Champion Edition remains a solid choice.
