BYD patents its first wagon

The Chinese automaker’s first estate car has been patented in the Ministry of Industry database with a range-extender hybrid powertrain.

It has five doors and appears to be closely based on the last year’s Seal 06 DM-i sedan (see video). It comes in at 4,850 mm (189.5 inches) long and 1,505 mm (58.8 inches) tall – less than an inch larger than the sedan in both dimensions.

For the propulsion, the company’s first family hauler relies on a single electric motor mounted at the front axle. A 1.5-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine provides the electricity, but doesn’t drive the wheels.

More details should emerge closer to the launch in late spring or early summer.