Chinese carmaker BYD announced its "5-4-2" plan for its series of hybrid sport utility vehicles at a gala last week in Shenzhen, its home in Guangdong province. BYD's chairman and president Wang Chuanfu said on Jan 20 that he was confident of the new products competing in China's SUV market, which saw the overall sales volume surge 35 percent last year, five times that of the sedan segment.
BYD explained the dual mode Qin can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph) in just 5.9 seconds and has a top speed of 185 kilometer per hour (115 mph) with a claimed overall fuel consumption of up to 1.6 L/100km (147 U.S. mpg). The Qin can reportedly be driven in pure electric mode for up to 70 kilometers (44 miles). For long distance journeys the car uses a 1.5 liter gasoline engine.
Hybrid SUV is home to the most popular green vehicles on the road today. Interest in hybrid-electric SUVs is among the highest for all fuel efficient vehicles. With several new models coming available in 2015 and more scheduled to reach dealers in 2016, gas saving crossovers and full-size sport utility vehicles continue their popularity.
