BYD has revealed a plug-in hybrid SUV called the Frigate 07 at the Chengdu Auto Show in China, after images and teaser details had been revealed throughout the year.
The BYD Frigate 07, which in its local market of China is called the Corvette 07, is part of a series of plug-in hybrid and electric cars called the Ocean series, with the EVs named for sea creatures (like the Dolphin and Sea Lion) and the PHEVs named, as the Frigate is, for seafaring vessels.
The reason for the name change between markets is relatively obvious, as General Motors might take issue with the use of the Corvette (though it has no control of that within China), but the use of the Frigate 07 name outside its home market might be relatively rare – there are currently no official statements or plans from BYD’s Australian importer for the Frigate 07.
While CarsGuide has contacted the brand’s local representative for further confirmation, what we do know is that the Frigate is a medium-sized, five-seat SUV that would aim to give cars like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV a run for their money.
In China, it starts from 202,800 yuan, or about AUD$42,900, though expectations are that it would cost more here given the Atto 3 small SUV costs AUD$44,381 before on-road costs here.
The Frigate 07 is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine paired with an electric motor for a total 295kW and 656Nm, according to details published by CarNewsChina.
Either a 18.3kWh or 36.8kWh battery, allow for range options of 100 km, 175km, and 205km, though its ranges under the WLTP might not match up if the Frigate were to come to Australia.