Home » BYD, CAR, New Cars » 2009 BYD F3DM in Detail

2009 BYD F3DM in Detail

[ Sunday, July 18th, 2010 | by automotiveroom | under BYD, CAR, New Cars ]

byd f3 dm 2009 450 2009 BYD F3DM in Detail

The BYD With the departure of a number of automakers from this year’s North American International Auto Show, the Chinese found themselves in an unfamiliar location: smack in the middle of the Detroit Auto Show. 2009 is the first time that China’s automakers have been able to find space to rent on the main show floor — in years past, they were confined to Michigan Hall, nicknamed “The Basement” by journalists. Taking full advantage of the larger forum, BYD unveiled what it is billing as the world’s first production plug-in hybrid, the Dual Mode. Thankfully, BYD thoughtfully left their cars uncovered earlier in the show, and we were able to get the shots you see here without wading through the crowds.
2009 byd f3dm picture 2 588x391 2009 BYD F3DM in Detail
Powered by a 1.0-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor, BYD says their Toyota Corolla lookalike boasts 168-horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. So equipped, the car can reach 60 miles-per-hour in 10.5 seconds, although it tops out at just 93 mph. More importantly, officials claim that the F3DM will run purely on battery power for 62 miles(!). BYD says the car’s Fe battery packs reach a 50% charge in just ten minutes, and a full charge can be obtained in just seven hours from a standard power outlet. Oddly, the very same press release notes that the Fe battery in the company’s E6 crossover can be fully recharged in 60 minutes.

2009 byd f3dm picture 1 588x470 2009 BYD F3DM in Detail

The BYD F3DM Dual Mode electric vehicle is based on the standard gasoline model BYD F3, which is one of China’s best-selling cars. The DM designation stands for Dual Mode, which indicates the vehicle can run on either pure battery power or a combination of gasoline and electricity.

2009 byd f3dm picture 3 588x470 2009 BYD F3DM in Detail

The F3DM extends the range, performance and fuel economy of the F3. The F3DM features a small gasoline engine, a permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor and BYD’s high-efficiency Fe battery pack.

The 1.0-liter gasoline engine and electric motor deliver a combined 168hp (125kw) and 295 lb-ft (400Nm) of torque. The combined range is 360miles (580km), with 0-60 mph acceleration in 10.5 seconds and a top speed of 93mph (150km/h). On battery power alone, the F3DM has a range of 62 miles (100km).

2009 byd f3dm picture 4 588x470 2009 BYD F3DM in Detail

The F3DM’s Fe battery pack can be quick-charged to 50 percent of its capacity in only 10 minutes. It can be fully recharged from a normal household power outlet in seven hours.