BYD are about to make automotive history by launching the cheapest hybrid motor onto the world, starting at 100,000rmb (14,000USD) the BYD F3 Hybrid is certainly the cheapest, a lot cheaper than the base Toyota Prius ($21,000USD)
The F3 Hybrid will be formally known as the BYD F3DM once it is launched at the end of the year, DM stands for Dual Mode. BYD will also be launching a ‘pure electric’ BYD F3, although we are currently unaware of any launch dates for that particular model, or if it will even see Chinese domestic sales. The BYD F3 DM is likely to be at the forefront of any march into the European sales arena, for those who question BYD’s safety record, the F3 passed a Russian crash test to European NCAP standards several months ago.
Previously, BYD said the famous BYD F1 would be a 20,000rmb car, however as the launch date came closer the price of the car also increased! Many Chinese commentators on the F3 DM were vastly in support of the ground breaking F3 DM, but some were distracted by the previous F1 price debacle.
Technical specifications on the BYD F3 DM were not immediately available from BYD, or media reports, but we wait with great anticpation for more information.
BYD are also planning to launch other DM vehicles over the next few years, including SUVs, and MPV’s which will follow the design of the current F3.
Why can’t they spend $3 to change that ghetto looking BMW logo?
Hey, you can get a set of Toyota logos for about 50 RMB to replace the front, rear, and wheel BYD logos. Once complete, the car looks just like a Toyota Corolla.
I did that on my new F3 after deciding the BYD logo was dumb looking…..and now everyone thinks I drive a Toyota (ok, with a Mitsubishi engine).
But I hear that BYD also recently change the blue/black BMW copy logo to a Red/Chrome BYD logo. Maybe they get the message.
F3 — only 800 KM but so far, so good.
Would be interesting to see the F3DM hybred. I bet they sell a lot of them.
hey i need to now more about byd f3
Well, I’m still learning about mine but I think the value is pretty good so far.
What I like: japanese 4S15 Mitsubishi engine and transmission.
Price: very good value so far
Tires/Brakes: 195 wide tires, 4 wheel ABS disk (not drum) brakes.
Mine has the 4S15 mitsubishi engine (not the 4S18 that are being put in now on the F3…. The F3R is still using 4S15). It is 1.5 liters and this engine is VERY well proven for at least 15 years in vehicles like Mitsubishi Lancer / Mirage. Also the Malaysian PROTON used this engine for years. The specification is almost same as 4S18 (horsepower etc) but the 4S15 has better fuel economy I am told.
engine has 1000 kms only, and is getting 100KM on 7.5 litres of fuel. This is using more fuel than what is published (100KM for 4.9L) but the engine is new and I use air conditioning and combination of expressway and city stop/go traffic on 3rd ring road.
The body parts etc appear to be very similar to Toyota, maybe even inter-changeable. I dont know. I have no information on spare parts, but would like information on whether Toyota brake calipers, rotors etc are interchangeable.
Simple engine modification: I replaced the standard air filter and airbox with a high flow K&N filter and have a noticeable improvement in acceleration and horsepower, especially with the air conditioning turned on.