Woah, BYD claims it’s created a 1,300-mile plug-in hybrid set-up

BYD has launched its fifth-gen dual-motor hybrid tech, and it reckons it can get an incredible 1,300-mile range (2,100km) out of a single tank in a plug-in hybrid car.

It'll only be available in two new models for the Chinese market - the Qin L DM-i and the Haibao 06 DM-i ('haibao' translating to ''seal') - though the technical architecture of the new hybrid engine hasn’t changed much. There's still a 1.5-litre engine coupled with either a 10.08kWh battery – good for 37 miles of pure electric range – or a 15.87kWh battery, achieving almost 56 miles petrol-free.

Instead, the gains are made from higher density batteries and better efficiency. For example, thermal efficiency is now 46.06 per cent, up from 43.04 per cent on the previous generation’s hybrid set-up, which the brand calls 'Super DM'. Better heat management means lower fuel consumption.

Now, fuel consumption stands at 2.9 litres per 62 miles (100km) rather than 3.8l/100km. Rather impressively, BYD tells us this almost doubles cruising range from 745 miles (1,200km) to 1,300 miles (2,100km).

Of course, BYD’s fourth-gen 'Super DM' hybrid tech is already here in Europe. That 1.5-litre hybrid set-up is available in the Seal U DM-i (pictured).

Though that range sounds a bit bonkers, cop this for some perfect pub quiz trivia: BYD was the world’s first car brand to mass-produce a plug-in hybrid, with the F3DM PHEV-60 hitting the home market in 2008 – (yes, folks, Toyota’s best effort wouldn’t get a socket for another four years). Almost two decades on, it’s got more practice than… literally everyone.

BYD doesn't say whether either car with the fifth-gen tech will come to Europe. But if they do, will you be paying attention?