BYD teases third-gen Qin Plus interior as plug-in hybrid family sedan revamp continues

• The third-generation Qin Plus adopts the new-generation design language of BYD's Dynasty lineup, with lines simplified as much as possible.
• BYD has yet to announce prices or a launch date, and Qin series sales fell 54.71% year-on-year in the first 9 months.

BYD (HKEX: 1211) has released interior images of the third-generation Qin Plus, continuing to build anticipation for the revamp of its mainstay family sedan after earlier disclosing the model's dimensions and exterior styling.

Lu Tian, general manager of the sales division of BYD's Dynasty lineup, posted cabin images on Weibo on Thursday, saying the new model's interior design incorporated user feedback.

The third-generation Qin Plus uses the Dynasty family's new-generation design language, with lines simplified as much as possible, and features a two-spoke multifunction steering wheel, semi-hidden air vents and soft ambient lighting, Lu said.

The new model also adds large areas of soft-touch materials, more storage space, a larger panoramic sunroof and more comfortable seats, which Lu said deliver an experience above the vehicle's class.

The images show a cabin in a blue-and-white two-tone scheme, with a floating central touchscreen on the dashboard and a wireless phone charging pad in front of the center armrest.

The exterior in the accompanying images carries a Qin Plus DM-i badge on the front fender, indicating that the version shown is the plug-in hybrid.

BYD has not yet announced prices or a launch date for the new model, and the company is releasing information about the third-generation Qin Plus in stages.

Lu first teased the new model on October 16, emphasizing its increased dimensions and interior space, and released high-resolution exterior images on October 21.

The exterior features a horizontally stretched front fascia, a fastback silhouette and a widened rear end, along with full-width Chinese knot taillights and a new Island Blue paint option.

The all-electric version of the third-generation Qin Plus already appeared in a new product filing published by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on October 16, measuring 4,840 millimeters long and 1,900 millimeters wide, with a wheelbase of 2,800 millimeters.

The all-electric model in the filing is equipped with a drive motor with peak power of 100 kilowatts (134 hp) and a lithium iron phosphate battery, with a top speed of 170 kilometers per hour. Those specifications apply to the all-electric version and not to the DM-i model.

The Qin Plus is currently the lowest-priced product line in the Qin series, covering EV and DM-i versions, with prices ranging from 79,800 yuan (about $11,880) to 131,800 yuan.

The Qin series also includes the Qin L and the higher-positioned Qin Max, launched in August of this year, both of which are offered in all-electric and plug-in hybrid versions.

The revamp comes as Qin series sales come under pressure. The series sold 23,472 units in September, down 65.27% year-on-year, although that was up 7.54% from the previous month, according to data compiled by CnEVPost.

In the first 9 months of this year, cumulative Qin series sales were 207,589 units, down 54.71% year-on-year.