BYD e6

THE STORY GOES that Chinese car makers are too busy catering to their massive domestic market to bother exporting BYD e6 but that’s not the case with BYD, China’s sixth-largest car maker. Build Your Dreams has imported 50 of its e6 all-electric crossovers to the UK and begun a process of polishing them by directing sales to professional fleet customers, and engaging consultants such as Ricardo and MIRA to help.BYD e6

The car is a neat-looking five-door hatchback, powered by a single 119bhp engine with a torque peak of 332lb ft. More powerful versions are proposed, but BYD reckons the single-engined version, which can cruise easily at 70mph yet has a range of around

140 miles, makes more sense for fleet operators.BYD e6

The e6 is slightly smaller than a Land Rover Freelander, with a similar elevated driving position and level of cabin luxury, although many of the materials and surfaces won’t suit Europe’s private buyers. The biggest drawback (apart from the price) is the boot; it’s hard to imagine four occupants’ airport luggage fitting in it.BYD e6

BYD e6

language: EN-US;">Step-off is leisurely, but the car cruises well, with little wind noise. Sadly, this silence reveals whirrs and buzzes that private buyers wouldn’t tolerate. For UK roads, the spring and damper rates allow far too much pitch and bounce and the power steering, while quick, lacks the feel we’re used to. Still, BYD’s BYD e6
expertise with electric powertrains is obvious. Cars like this are coming; it’s just a matter of when.