Another novelty of the Chinese car industry in the CIS is the BYD G6 sedan (F7 in Russia).
The Chinese company "BYD Co Ltd" for seventeen years of its history has achieved impressive results, becoming one of the leaders in the world production of rechargeable batteries and components for mobile phones. And the automotive division of BYD Automobile Co Ltd has existed for a little over 10 years, but the period turned out to be sufficient for the company to be talked about not only in the Middle Kingdom, but also abroad.
In the ambitious plans of BYD Auto's management to become the leader in the number of cars produced by 2025. The BYD G6 sedan will be one of the steps leading to the top of the leadership, at least in China.
The new G6 sedan was unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2011 and appeared in Chinese car dealerships a few months later, priced from 79,800 yuan (about $ 12,768). With its external dimensions: 4860 mm in length, 1825 mm in width, 1463 mm in height and 2745 mm of wheelbase, the car is located on the border of European classes D and E. But the realities of the modern car market are such that one size is not enough to be present in more high class. So the subject of our review BYD F7 (as it will be called in Russia) is a D-class sedan, the Chinese car has not "matured" to a more representative group of cars.
Let's take a look at the novelty and try to identify the characteristic moments in the exterior of the car. The front part with slanted headlights, a trapezoidal false radiator grille "dressed" in chrome, a bumper with an additional compact air duct and fog lights in the hollows.
When viewed from the side, the Chinese BID F7 sedan looks like hundreds of other cars with three-volume body proportions: a long hood, a flat roof, a rib at the level of the door handles, a classic wide rear roof pillar, a trivial feed. In the wheel arches there are 205/60 R16 tires on light-alloy wheels of size 16.
The back of the car with large lampshades for marker lights with LEDs, a large trunk lid decorated with a chrome bar, a modest bumper with light reflectors. In a word, a car is like a car. We will not argue about the originality of the design, with each new model Chinese manufacturers are trying to look for their own style, of course there are borrowings, but ... even the recognized leaders of the world auto industry sometimes suffer from the "disease of copying" bright elements. The main thing that the Chinese designers managed to achieve with the image of the new sedan is the overall positive perception of the car. The car looks personable, and considering its cost, it can be said to be simply gorgeous.
The BYD F7 salon makes a good impression with the quality of finishing materials (leather, soft plastic), assembly, and most importantly, with a supply of space and filling even the basic version with comfort functions (traditionally a Chinese "trick"). Interior trim - black top, white bottom looks stylish, but alas, not practical for everyday use. In the front row, comfortable seats are installed (insufficient lateral support), conducive to a leisurely ride. Let's sit in the driver's seat: the range of adjustments of the seat and steering column (4 directions) allows you to find the optimal position even for a very tall person, a plump steering wheel with tides in the right grip, a stylish dashboard with a large speedometer plate and dual 4.3 inch TFT monitors on-board computer, modern front panel with soft shapes and original design of the center console.
Ergonomics are at the proper level, the controls are conveniently and logically located, even the "handbrake" and armrest are conveniently and correctly located. Let's move on to the second row: it is convenient to sit on the rear seats thanks to the wide doorway, the sofa cushion is long, the backrest is high with an optimal tilt angle, seats ... plenty in all directions, three adult men of an average Slavic large physique will comfortably sit behind (which is nice, the car was originally designed not only to the domestic market), sitting in the center some discomfort will be delivered only by the "hump" of the tunnel.
The trunk of the BID F7 sedan is not striking in size - 465 liters, with an unsuccessful geometry - it narrows towards the backs of the rear row, which, however, can be folded down significantly increasing the cargo capacity.
Regarding the filling, the “basic configuration” for BYD F7 already provides for a leather interior, heated mirrors with electric drive, dual-zone climate control, CD MP3 AUX music with 6 speakers, ABS with EBD, front airbags, keyless entry. The richest version will add side airbags and curtains, a touchscreen multimedia system with 10 speakers (navigator, TV, rear view camera), an electric sunroof, heated seats in the first row and other bells and whistles.
Specifications. According to preliminary information, the BYD G6 / F7 sedan will be available with two petrol engines:
- BYD483QB 2.0 (138 hp) with 5 manual gearboxes, dynamics up to 100 km / h in 12.5 seconds and a maximum speed of 185 km / h,
- and the latest in-house development BYD476ZQA 1.5 liter turbocharged (152 hp) paired with a 6 manual gearbox or 6-speed "robot", with a dual clutch (DCT), providing acceleration to "hundreds" in 9.7 seconds and " maximum speed "200 km / h.
Suspension is fully independent, front double wishbone, rear five-link, power steering is used.
Test Drive. The first driving tests of the new BYD sedan were carried out by Chinese journalists at home in the Middle Kingdom: the car demonstrates a comfortable and soft suspension (it rolls noticeably in corners), acceptable build quality and soundproofing of the cabin, pleased with the powerful turbocharged engine. Weak points turned out to be: low-informative steering, cotton brakes requiring a lot of effort during emergency braking, "twitching" work of the robotic DCT box. But in general, auto journalists from China speak positively about the new product, especially since it is simply impossible to buy a large car with high-tech filling for such modest money.
BYD F7 Price in Russia, unfortunately, is not yet known. In neighboring Ukraine, BYD G6 with 2.0 (138 hp) 5 manual gearbox costs from 17,390 US dollars, BYD G6 1.5 Turbo (152 hp) 6 manual gearboxes is estimated at 20,990 US dollars.
