(Internet rumors of spy shots of the all-new BYD Han)

BYD Qin L's fuel consumption has been reduced to 2L (NEDC conditions), but that's just the appetizer. Imagine what kind of effect BYD's new DM technology, combined with its high-selling models that have been verified by the market, will bring? For example, the BYD Han, which is also scheduled to upgrade its hybrid technology, has recently been exposed in suspected spy shot information. Additionally, some spy shots show the addition of a lidar on the roof. This may indicate that the all-new BYD Han will also undergo significant upgrades in its chassis.

Will the new BYD Han with its all-new DM technology achieve a fuel consumption of as low as 3.8L per 100km?

Let's first discuss the topic of how the fuel consumption of the all-new BYD Han will be after upgrading the DM technology. After unleashing the flexibility of the series-parallel connection between the dual motors and the engine, the new DM hybrid technology can bring greater comprehensive motor output power. This reduces the conditions for the internal combustion engine's intervention and lowers the engine speed during intervention. Ultimately, it achieves enhanced performance while reducing fuel consumption.

Combined with BYD Qin L's lowest fuel consumption of 3.8L (WLTC conditions), we make the following estimate. Referring to BYD Qin PLUS, the two models have basically the same acceleration performance (the base model has a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 7.9 seconds). In terms of fuel consumption, BYD Qin L is 0.8L/100km lower under the same conditions. And in terms of curb weight, BYD Qin L, being a mid-size car, is 160kg heavier. Converted into a ratio, without considering performance factors, upgrading to the new DM technology can theoretically reduce the fuel consumption of the same model by about 25%.

If this result is applied to the BYD Han, it means that its plug-in hybrid version could potentially achieve a fuel consumption of around 3.8L/100km (WLTC conditions). This is undoubtedly a remarkable achievement for a medium to large new energy sedan. Of course, even if the new car has no changes in body weight, performance, wind resistance, etc., this calculation method is not rigorous. Additionally, as a next-generation product, the all-new BYD Han is bound to bring upgrades in body size, design, and other aspects. Therefore, this data is for reference only.

In addition to the potential for significant reductions in fuel consumption, the bright lidar on the spy shots, if it can eventually be implemented on mass-produced cars, also means that the new car's intelligent driving capabilities are expected to be greatly improved. Considering BYD's previously disclosed urban NOA implementation plan and the BYD Han being one of the flagship models of the Dynasty series. In the next-generation update, the possibility of equipping high-end models with lidar is quite high. However, this discussion does not extend to the new car's intelligent driving performance. In the current competitive environment, sensing hardware like lidar not only signifies differences in intelligent driving levels but also hides the upgrade direction of the chassis suspension.

What will the chassis of the all-new BYD Han look like? A front double-wishbone and rear five-link suspension?

In terms of the chassis, BYD Han has also upgraded the ride quality by extensively using aluminum alloy materials. However, facing a slew of competitors with double-wishbone and multi-link suspensions, BYD Han, as a medium to large car, clearly still has room for improvement in its chassis. And if the new car is to provide a lidar solution, it means that there will be more possibilities for active suspension functionality on the all-new BYD Han.

(Internet rumors of spy shots of the all-new BYD Han)

The so-called active suspension actually refers to the execution hardware part of the chassis. The current BYD Han comes standard with CDC variable damping shock absorbers, also known as the Cloud Control-C system. The upgrades in perception, computing power, and algorithms behind lidar clearly won't be satisfied with the execution capabilities of a Cloud Control-C system. The former's upgrade means that the all-new BYD Han is likely to receive the support of air suspension in its chassis.

Here, we will set aside the issue of the air suspension's chamber and scope of application. Because the vehicle's suspension infrastructure is difficult to distinguish due to configuration differences. This also means that as long as the all-new BYD Han is equipped with lidar + air suspension, this set of perception and execution hardware. Then, the suspension structure of the new car is likely to be upgraded to a front double-wishbone and rear multi-link design.

(Internet rumors of spy shots of the all-new BYD Han)

The logic behind the front suspension is quite simple. Having air suspension means that the front suspension must use a double-wishbone design. Because a MacPherson suspension with only one A-arm, if forced to use an air spring, has limitations in multi-directional stress, which can easily lead to reduced durability of the air suspension. Considering the curb weight level of new energy vehicles, it can even lead to insufficient chassis support.

However, this discussion is based on considering lidar and air suspension as a whole. If we only consider the lidar solution, then continuing to use a MacPherson front suspension is not out of the question. For example, this is the case with models like the Zero Run C10, Geely Galaxy E8, and Wenjie M7. This also reveals that the common characteristic of the above models is that they are mainly oriented towards comfort, including the BYD Han. However, in terms of effect, the potential of the active suspension in high-end models will naturally not be "full-blooded," and the handling limits of other base configuration models will not undergo qualitative changes.

After discussing the possibilities of the front suspension, let's take a look at the rear suspension of the all-new BYD Han. Continuing with a three-link suspension is clearly not a viable option, even without considering air suspension. Considering the probable increase in size and space of the new car, as well as the upgrades to BYD's many A-class and A0-class models in the chassis department, it is only natural that the BYD Han will upgrade its rear suspension structure.

First, H-arm multi-link can be basically ruled out. The circumstantial evidence is that BYD rarely uses H-arm multi-link in its rear suspension structure. More importantly, this suspension structure, which locks the rear wheels, is not in line with BYD Han's focus on comfort. So the key question is whether to choose a four-link or five-link suspension.

First, both have natural advantages in comfort. Relatively speaking, the standard five-link suspension has a higher tuning ceiling in terms of handling performance compared to the four-link. As for the four-link structure, its greater limitation, compared to so-called handling limits, actually lies in its impact on space. On the one hand, the longer and deeper longitudinal arm can occupy the vehicle's longitudinal space, and even affect the width when arranging the battery pack. Additionally, its bulky lower control arm and connection points with the subframe are too close to the center of the vehicle body, making it difficult for the rear axle to accommodate high-power motors. For example, these characteristics make it possible for bulky products like MPVs, which also place great emphasis on comfort, to use a four-link suspension without hesitation.

When it comes to the BYD Han, size and space are certainly not issues. The energy consumption advantage of the new DM technology also means that the vehicle does not need to stack battery capacity to achieve lower fuel consumption and increased range. This can even reduce the weight of the vehicle body, improving handling flexibility and reducing vehicle load.

The key lies in performance. If we only discuss the DM-i version, the current BYD Han uses a front-wheel drive system. Following this logic, it is completely feasible for the all-new BYD Han to adopt a rear four-link suspension.

To summarize, there are several possibilities for the chassis of the all-new BYD Han:

Front MacPherson + rear four-link suspension. The advantage is that the new car may have a surprising price and improved chassis comfort. However, even with lidar, the potential of its active suspension is limited, and more effects will be seen in urban NOA. At the same time, the chassis hardware will also stop at Cloud Control-C and will not have Cloud Control-A.

Front MacPherson + rear five-link. The advantage is that while upgrading comfort, the new car will also see improvements in handling flexibility. Although this solution still will not have the support of air suspension, the performance handling aspect is still worth looking forward to. The most obvious example is that even the base version can expect the addition of a rear motor. Therefore, even without Cloud Control-A, the new car is likely to bring stability from electric four-wheel drive and flexibility from the five-link suspension.

(Internet rumors of chassis information for some new BYD models)

The full-blood configuration, of course, would be a front double-wishbone + rear five-link suspension. This includes lidar, air suspension, and all other talents being fulfilled. For example, urban NOA, BYD's active suspension tuning, including future OTA upgrades, and more. Even without discussing the high-end configuration with lidar + air suspension, the handling and comfort of the base models will also reach new heights. Of course, this also means that the price of the new car may increase to a certain extent.

Author: Ruan Song