BYD has introduced the Song Ultra DM-i sport utility vehicle in China, expanding its plug-in hybrid lineup with a new model featuring up to 310 kilometres of electric-only driving range and the company’s latest intelligent vehicle technologies.
The Song Ultra DM-i was unveiled during BYD’s intelligent technology strategy event on Thursday and is offered in five variants priced between 129,900 yuan ($19,160) and 159,900 yuan.
The launch marks the arrival of a plug-in hybrid SUV capable of delivering up to 310 kilometres of pure-electric range in the 130,000-yuan price segment, a notable milestone in China’s increasingly competitive new energy vehicle market.
The model is powered by BYD’s fifth-generation Dual Mode (DM-i) hybrid system, which combines a 1.5-litre gasoline engine with an electric motor producing up to 175 kilowatts of power.
Customers can choose between two Blade Battery options with capacities of 26.6 kWh and 38.0 kWh.
Under China’s CLTC testing cycle, the smaller battery provides an electric driving range of 205 kilometres, while the larger pack extends that figure to 310 kilometres.
BYD said the SUV can achieve a combined driving range of up to 1,845 kilometres when operating with a full battery charge and fuel tank.
The company also cited fuel consumption of 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres when the battery is depleted, highlighting the efficiency gains of the latest generation hybrid powertrain.
The Song Ultra DM-i introduces several new intelligent features, including an artificial intelligence-powered agent system called “Didi Xia.”
BYD described the system as more advanced than a conventional voice assistant, with capabilities including proactive interaction, fuzzy semantic recognition and support for multiple Chinese dialects.
The introduction reflects the growing focus on AI-driven vehicle functions among Chinese automakers as competition increasingly shifts beyond electrification to software and intelligent mobility features.
In the area of driver assistance technology, all versions of the Song Ultra DM-i come standard with BYD’s God’s Eye C assisted driving system.
Customers can also opt for the more advanced God’s Eye B package, which adds LiDAR technology for an additional 12,000 yuan.
The upgraded system supports advanced assisted driving functions, including urban navigation-assisted driving capabilities.
The SUV measures 4,850 mm in length, 1,910 mm in width and 1,670 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,840 mm.
Interior features include a flexible seating arrangement that allows the front and rear seats to fold flat into what BYD calls a “large bed mode.”
Higher-specification versions are equipped with a front passenger seat featuring a 10-point massage system and an electrically adjustable leg rest.
The model also includes BYD’s DiSus-C intelligent damping body control system as standard across the lineup.
Additional safety features include a TBC tire blowout stabilization system designed to improve vehicle control in the event of sudden tire failure at higher speeds.
The Song Ultra DM-i formed part of a broader technology showcase by BYD. During the same event, the company also unveiled its in-house developed 4-nanometer smart driving chip, the Xuanji A3, underscoring its strategy of integrating proprietary hardware and software technologies across its vehicle portfolio.
The launch further strengthens BYD’s position in China’s rapidly expanding plug-in hybrid market, where automakers are increasingly targeting consumers seeking longer driving ranges without relying solely on charging infrastructure.
