BYD Launches Two New Song Family Models with Advanced DM 5.0 Hybrid System
Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer BYD has unveiled the Song L DM-i and the 2025 Song Plus DM-i, the latest additions to its best-selling Song family. These new models are the second batch of vehicles to be equipped with BYD’s fifth-generation DM (Dual Mode) hybrid system, following the introduction of the Seal 06 DM-i and Qin L DM-i earlier this year.
Song L DM-i: A New Member of the Dynasty Series
The Song L DM-i joins the Dynasty series of BYD models, featuring a 1.5L displacement engine with a maximum power output of 74 kW and a maximum torque of 126 Nm. All variants come with a single electric motor that delivers 160 kW of maximum power and 260 Nm of maximum torque. The Song L DM-i accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds for the lower-priced versions and 7.9 seconds for the higher-end models.
Available in five configurations, the Song L DM-i starts at RMB 135,800 ($18,770) and offers battery capacities ranging from 12.9 kWh to 26.6 kWh, providing CLTC battery ranges of 75 km to 160 km. The Song L DM-i is fitted with a 60-liter fuel tank, achieving a low-charge fuel consumption of around 3.9 L under NEDC standards, and a combined range of approximately 1,500 km when fully fueled and charged.
2025 Song Plus DM-i: A Sister Model with Similar Specifications
The 2025 Song Plus DM-i shares many features with the Song L DM-i, including the same powertrain and similar dimensions. It measures 4,775 mm in length, 1,890 mm in width, and 1,670 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,765 mm. Like the Song L DM-i, it is available in five variants, each priced the same as their counterparts in the Song L DM-i lineup.
The 2025 Song Plus DM-i also comes with a 1.5L displacement engine and an electric motor with a maximum power output of 160 kW. It uses the same battery packs as the Song L DM-i, offering the same battery ranges. With a 60-liter fuel tank, the 2025 Song Plus DM-i achieves a combined range of around 1,500 kilometers when fully fueled and charged.
Market Impact and Sales Expectations
The introduction of these two new models is expected to further strengthen BYD’s position in the rapidly growing hybrid vehicle segment in China. According to data compiled by CnEVPost, BYD sold 1,612,983 NEVs in the first half of 2024, marking a 28.46% increase compared to the previous year. The Song family, which sold 406,530 units in the first half of 2024, accounted for 25.2% of BYD’s total sales.
JPMorgan predicts that BYD could deliver 6 million units globally by 2026, with about 1.5 million units sold in overseas markets.
