BYD (比亚迪) schedules Song Ultra (宋 Ultra) DM‑i launch for May 28 with up to 310 km pure‑electric range

Launch and powertrain

BYD (比亚迪) has announced the Song Ultra (宋 Ultra) DM‑i will officially go on sale on May 28. The new plug‑in hybrid uses BYD’s fifth‑generation DM system and will be offered with two battery packs: a 26.6 kWh pack rated for about 205 km of pure‑electric range and a larger 38 kWh pack rated for roughly 310 km. Short and sweet: this PHEV is aiming to erase range‑anxiety for buyers who want electric driving without giving up a combustion backup.

The company’s preview images suggest the DM‑i looks almost identical to the Song Ultra EV introduced in March, which carries a price band of ¥151,900–¥179,900. It has been reported that configuration differences between the EV and DM‑i versions are expected to be modest, with similar trim and tech content across the line.

Interior, ADAS and strategic context

Inside, the Song Ultra family has been positioned as a roomy, tech‑heavy mid‑size SUV. The EV version’s specifications — 4,850 × 1,910 × 1,670 mm body, 2,840 mm wheelbase, 986 mm rear legroom, 730 L rear trunk plus 150 L front trunk and a “large‑bed” 1.8 m flat mode when the front passenger seat is folded — signal a focus on comfort and lifestyle use (camping, long trips). Standard kit includes a 15.6‑inch central screen and multi‑zone voice interaction; higher trims add features such as a ventilated/massaging “queen” front passenger seat, an integrated smart fridge, dual wireless phone chargers and a premium 16‑speaker “Sky Sound” system.

On the driver assistance front, high‑end Song Ultra models can be optioned with BYD’s “Tianshen Eye B” lidar package, reportedly combining 27 sensors to enable city/highway navigation, multi‑scenario intelligent parking, narrow‑alley driving and autonomous U‑turns; BYD has said the system will receive OTA updates including a Yunlian C+ preview capability. The drivetrain on the rear‑drive setup delivers up to 270 kW and a top speed of 210 km/h.

Why does this matter beyond China? BYD is the country’s largest EV maker and is rapidly exporting technology and vehicles overseas. A plug‑in hybrid that can run hundreds of kilometres on electric power blurs the line between PHEV and BEV, offering a commercially attractive alternative in markets where charging infrastructure or geopolitical supply‑chain pressures complicate pure EV adoption. Will that hybrid compromise slow BYD’s global push — or give it a pragmatic edge? The May 28 launch should offer more clues.