# BYD Qin L DM-i
**BYD Qin L DM-i** (秦L DM-i) is a plug-in hybrid compact-to-midsize sedan produced by the Chinese automaker BYD, launched on May 28, 2024 in Xi'an as the first sedan to carry BYD's fifth-generation DM hybrid system[1](https://carnewschina.com/2024/05/28/byd-qin-l-launches-in-china-with-fifth-generation-phev-system/). BYD classifies it as an A+ class plug-in hybrid in its annual reporting[2](https://www.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2025/0324/2025032401238.pdf). It debuted alongside its twin car, the Seal 06 DM-i, which uses the same platform and powertrain[1](https://carnewschina.com/2024/05/28/byd-qin-l-launches-in-china-with-fifth-generation-phev-system/).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launch | May 28, 2024, Xi'an, China; five trims priced 99,800 to 139,800 yuan (13,750 to 19,300 USD)[1](https://carnewschina.com/2024/05/28/byd-qin-l-launches-in-china-with-fifth-generation-phev-system/) |
| Powertrain | Fifth-generation DM (DM-i 5.0): 1.5-liter engine, 74 kW and 126 Nm, paired with an electric motor[3](https://autonews.gasgoo.com/articles/ev/70033278) |
| Headline efficiency | 46.06% maximum thermal efficiency; 2.9 L/100 km NEDC fuel consumption with a depleted battery; 2,100 km combined range[3](https://autonews.gasgoo.com/articles/ev/70033278) |
| Battery options | 10.08 kWh with 80 km CLTC electric range (120 kW motor); 15.874 kWh with 120 km CLTC range (160 kW, 260 Nm motor)[3](https://autonews.gasgoo.com/articles/ev/70033278) |
| Dimensions | 4830 mm long, 1900 mm wide, 1495 mm high; 2790 mm wheelbase[1](https://carnewschina.com/2024/05/28/byd-qin-l-launches-in-china-with-fifth-generation-phev-system/) |
| Early sales | 5,000 cars delivered in the first three days; 42,700 units in December 2024, first among A sedans from Chinese brands[4](https://carnewschina.com/2024/06/04/5000-byd-qin-l-sedans-delivered-in-3-days-as-sales-rooms-packed/) • [5](https://autonews.gasgoo.com/autosales/75742) |
| 2026 update | 210 km electric range from a 25.28 kWh battery; 2,110 km combined range; 2.79 L/100 km depleted[6](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=badAzyTayow) |
## Launch and positioning
The Qin L sits in BYD's Dynasty series and carries the brand's "dragon face" design language, with a Qin character at the front underlined by a chrome bar, a continuous rear light bar inspired by Chinese knots, and traditional door handles[1](https://carnewschina.com/2024/05/28/byd-qin-l-launches-in-china-with-fifth-generation-phev-system/). At 4830 mm long with a 2790 mm wheelbase it is larger than the Qin Plus, and it is considerably wider than its twin, the Seal 06[1](https://carnewschina.com/2024/05/28/byd-qin-l-launches-in-china-with-fifth-generation-phev-system/). Suspension is a [MacPherson strut](https://www.edgepedia.org/macpherson-strut) front end with a new E-type four-link independent rear setup[1](https://carnewschina.com/2024/05/28/byd-qin-l-launches-in-china-with-fifth-generation-phev-system/).
The five launch trims split into 80 km and 120 km electric-range versions. Higher-spec models add features such as a panoramic sunroof, the DiPilot L2 driving assistance system, 18-inch wheels, and seat heating and ventilation[1](https://carnewschina.com/2024/05/28/byd-qin-l-launches-in-china-with-fifth-generation-phev-system/). DiPilot, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and prevention, and a 3D panoramic image system, is fitted across all variants[3](https://autonews.gasgoo.com/articles/ev/70033278). Buyers could also receive a trade-in subsidy of up to 15,000 yuan[3](https://autonews.gasgoo.com/articles/ev/70033278).
## Fifth-generation DM powertrain
The Qin L was the launch vehicle for BYD's fifth-generation DM technology, a plug-in hybrid layout in which a high-power motor and a Blade LFP battery do most of the driving and the 1.5-liter petrol engine assists[1](https://carnewschina.com/2024/05/28/byd-qin-l-launches-in-china-with-fifth-generation-phev-system/) • [7](https://cnautohr.com/models/byd/qin-l/). The system optimizes the division of work between engine and motor and uses AI energy consumption management[1](https://carnewschina.com/2024/05/28/byd-qin-l-launches-in-china-with-fifth-generation-phev-system/).
BYD claims the 1.5-liter engine reaches a maximum thermal efficiency of 46.06%, which the company described as the highest of any engine in mass production[3](https://autonews.gasgoo.com/articles/ev/70033278) • [4](https://carnewschina.com/2024/06/04/5000-byd-qin-l-sedans-delivered-in-3-days-as-sales-rooms-packed/). The official figures are 2.9 L/100 km of fuel consumption under NEDC conditions with a depleted battery, 10.7 kWh/100 km in CLTC electric mode, and a combined range of 2,100 km with a full tank and full charge[1](https://carnewschina.com/2024/05/28/byd-qin-l-launches-in-china-with-fifth-generation-phev-system/) • [3](https://autonews.gasgoo.com/articles/ev/70033278). Under the stricter WLTC cycle used by China's MIIT, the rated figures are 3.98 L/100 km for the 120 km version and 3.8 L/100 km for the 80 km version[8](https://carnewschina.com/2024/06/05/real-world-tests-of-byds-dm-i-5-0-technology-show-better-than-advertised-results/).
## Real-world range and consumption
Independent testing produced a mixed picture against the headline numbers. At the DM-i 5.0 press conference BYD publicized media test drives exceeding 2,400 km of combined range, with the highest recorded at 2,547 km, though the conditions were not published[8](https://carnewschina.com/2024/06/05/real-world-tests-of-byds-dm-i-5-0-technology-show-better-than-advertised-results/).
The best-documented test was run by the blogger 向北不断电 ("uninterrupted power to the north") over three days in a top-spec 120 km Excellence car, driving from Xi'an toward Shenzhen at the 120 km/h limit with air conditioning set at 24 °C. The car ran to full depletion after 1,977 km and then took 66.74 liters of fuel, more than its official 65-liter tank capacity, for a measured 3.37 L/100 km, close to the NEDC rating of 3.08 L/100 km for that version. An accompanying Honda Accord PHEV ran dry after 1,291 km at 3.99 L/100 km[8](https://carnewschina.com/2024/06/05/real-world-tests-of-byds-dm-i-5-0-technology-show-better-than-advertised-results/).
Other testers were less favorable.
## Sales
Demand at launch was strong. BYD chairman [Wang Chuanfu](https://www.edgepedia.org/wang-chuanfu) handed the keys to the first owners personally, and 5,000 cars were delivered in the first three days; one store visited by a reporter was selling 15 cars a day with a wait time around 60 days[4](https://carnewschina.com/2024/06/04/5000-byd-qin-l-sedans-delivered-in-3-days-as-sales-rooms-packed/). Combined wholesale volume of the Qin L and Seal 06 reached 95,000 units in October 2024[10](https://www.cmbi.com.hk/upload/202412/20241223128045.pdf), and the Qin L DM-i alone sold 42,700 units in December 2024, topping the ranking of A sedans from Chinese brands[5](https://autonews.gasgoo.com/autosales/75742). In the first ten months of 2025 it recorded approximately 170,000 retail sales, seventh among China's best-selling NEV models[11](https://www.cmbi.com.hk/upload/202512/20251208629168.pdf).
## 2026 update
On January 8, 2026 BYD launched updated Qin L DM-i and Qin PLUS DM-i long-range versions together, priced between 89,800 and 122,800 yuan. The core change is a 25.28 kWh battery that raises pure electric range to 210 km, with a combined range of 2,110 km and depleted-battery consumption of 2.79 L/100 km under the fifth-generation DM system[6](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=badAzyTayow). The 2026 Qin L DM-i 210 km variant was offered at a limited-time price of 112,800 to 122,800 yuan[12](https://evbriefing.com/briefings/byd-qin-launches-210km-long-range-phev-variant), and the update adds the DiLink 6.0 infotainment system and the "God's Eye C" driver assistance package with highway navigation, automatic parking, and city memory navigation functions[13](https://www.autohome.com.cn/news/202601/1311534.html).
## References
1. [BYD Qin L launches in China, PHEV with 2,100 km range, Car News China (May 28, 2024)](https://carnewschina.com/2024/05/28/byd-qin-l-launches-in-china-with-fifth-generation-phev-system/)
2. [BYD Company Limited Annual Report 2024, HKEX](https://www.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2025/0324/2025032401238.pdf)
3. [BYD Qin L DM-i starts at 99,800 yuan, powered by 5th-gen DM tech, Gasgoo (May 30, 2024)](https://autonews.gasgoo.com/articles/ev/70033278)
4. [5,000 BYD Qin L sedans delivered in 3 days as sales rooms packed, Car News China (June 4, 2024)](https://carnewschina.com/2024/06/04/5000-byd-qin-l-sedans-delivered-in-3-days-as-sales-rooms-packed/)
5. [December 2024 sales ranking of A sedans from China's brands, Gasgoo](https://autonews.gasgoo.com/autosales/75742)
6. [2026 BYD Qin Family Extended Range Launch Event, YouTube (January 8, 2026)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=badAzyTayow)
7. [BYD Qin L: Range, Price and Specs, CN Auto HR](https://cnautohr.com/models/byd/qin-l/)
8. [Real world tests of BYD's DM-i 5.0 technology show better than advertised results, Car News China (June 5, 2024)](https://carnewschina.com/2024/06/05/real-world-tests-of-byds-dm-i-5-0-technology-show-better-than-advertised-results/)
9. [Dongchedi real-world test of Qin L DM-i: 4.07 L/100 km depleted, 119.4 km electric range](https://www.dongchedi.com/article/7375145293873988137)
10. [CMBI research note on BYD DM-i 5.0 models (December 23, 2024)](https://www.cmbi.com.hk/upload/202412/20241223128045.pdf)
11. [CMBI China autos report, top 20 NEV models 10M2025 (December 5, 2025)](https://www.cmbi.com.hk/upload/202512/20251208629168.pdf)
12. [BYD launches 210km long-range plug-in hybrid variant, EV Briefing](https://evbriefing.com/briefings/byd-qin-launches-210km-long-range-phev-variant)
13. [2026 Qin L DM-i / Qin PLUS DM-i launch on January 8, Autohome](https://www.autohome.com.cn/news/202601/1311534.html)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Technology and the built world › Transport and spaceflight › Road transport › Automobiles › Chinese automobile models › Sedans and hatchbacks*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 15, 2026 · Edited: Oct 11, 2026; Oct 15, 2026 · Last review: Oct 15, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license