BYD Song Ultra DM-i: 1,845 km combined range and 310 km all-electric range

BYD Song Ultra DM-i: super-hybrid range and new technology

In China, hybrid cars can offer up to four times the all-electric range of Europe’s best models. BYD is expanding its fifth-generation DM-i “Super Hybrid” line-up, delivering 1,845 km of combined range and 310 km of all-electric driving.

At an event in Shenzhen, BYD unveiled several updates to its “God’s Eye” autonomous driving system, including new guarantees in the event of an accident and the production launch of 4 nm chips to support its future Level 3 and Level 4 automation capabilities. At the same time, the Chinese manufacturer introduced the Song Ultra DM-i, a hybrid SUV with highly competitive pricing, ranging from €16,000 to €20,000, and able to travel up to 1,845 km on a full tank and a full charge.

Last month, BYD revealed the fully electric version of this SUV, the first model in the “Dynasty” range to adopt “Flash” charging, using charging stations capable of supplying up to 1,500 kW.

Hybrid: BYD launches the Song Ultra DM-i in China and the Dolphin G in Europe

The Song Ultra DM-i brings BYD’s existing fifth-generation DM-i, or Super Hybrid, powertrain to a broader audience. Under the CLTC test cycle, which is more lenient than Europe’s WLTP standard, it can cover 310 km in fully electric mode. There is no trick involved: BYD has simply fitted an electric-car-sized battery to a hybrid vehicle. Buyers can choose between a 26.6 kWh battery in the entry-level version and a 38 kWh unit in the other versions.

To promote the vehicle, BYD also highlighted the fuel-consumption figure for its combustion engine once the battery has been fully depleted. The Song Ultra DM-i is claimed to use only 3.3 L/100 km, again under the CLTC cycle. Although real-world European figures would be higher, the result points to impressive efficiency and helps explain how the model can achieve 1,845 km overall with a full tank and recharge.

Another Chinese-market BYD model offers the same performance. This is the Sealion 6 DM-i, also restricted to China, which was presented earlier this year. It was the first vehicle to combine a 38 kWh battery with a 1.5-litre combustion engine. Its price is similarly highly competitive, starting at €17,000. No European launch has yet been announced; instead, the brand is concentrating on introducing a hybrid city car, the Dolphin G, which is related to the Dolphin Surf.

Electric range of hybrid cars in Europe

In Europe, the leading hybrid cars still fall some way behind on all-electric range. The best vehicles on sale comfortably exceed 100 km in fully electric mode, but none can yet go beyond 130 km. Mercedes sits at the top of the rankings with the GLC, which has a 31.2 kWh gross battery. The C-Class and E-Class 300 e complete the range, offering 115 km and 118 km of all-electric range respectively under WLTP.

Which hybrid car has the longest all-electric range? The XPeng G6 EREV, with 400 km

Globally, the record-holder is Chinese, though it is not a BYD. XPeng, a company generally focused on fully electric vehicles, has launched an EREV version of its G6 SUV. It offers 430 km of range without using its combustion engine under the CLTC cycle. To achieve this figure, XPeng has fitted a 55.8 kWh battery, a pack larger than those used in many fully electric models.

Alongside its remarkable range, the XPeng G6 EREV offers exemplary charging capability thanks to its 800V architecture: it can recover 314 km of range in 12 minutes, at a maximum charging power of 350 kW. However, it does not match BYD’s Song Ultra DM-i for combined range, reaching 1,704 km.