SYDNEY: BYD Australia's well-appointed M9 premium people-mover will come in two variants - the eight-seat Dynamic and flagship seven-seat Premium.
Both are offered in front-wheel drive only.
Both are powered by BYD's DM-i 5.0 Super Hybrid powertrain, combining a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and electric motor to deliver a blend of performance, efficiency and long-range capability – up to 145km of EV (electric vehicle) range and up to 850km of combined range for the top-spec M9 Premium according to the WLTP testing procedure.
BYD Australia chief operating officer Stephen Collins said the M9 underlines BYD’s promise to offer class-leading EVs (electric vehicles) and plug-in Super Hybrids to all Australians.
“The M9 marks the seventh all-new model BYD has introduced within 12 months, and all of them in new segments. We also added two significant new Shark 6 variants – the Shark 6 Cab Chassis and Shark 6 Premium pick-up – in response to customer needs," he said.
“The acceptance of BYD vehicles is reflected in our continued strong sales, with year-to-date deliveries more than double ahead of last year, which itself was a record year.”
The M9 Premium makes use of a 36.60kWh BYD Blade Battery, the Dynamic with a 20.39kWh Blade Battery.
Both grades support AC and DC charging, as well as Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality.
The cabin offers a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air updates (OTA) and four-zone voice control.
An integrated refrigerator and hotbox capable of cooling between -6°C and 6°C or heating between 35°C and 50°C adds another layer of comfort, while available augmented reality (AR) projection technology provides intuitive access to the power sliding doors and tailgate.
Measuring 5,145mm long, 1,970mm wide and 1,805mm high, and riding on a 3,045mm wheelbase, the M9 delivers generous accommodation across all three rows.
The M9's exterior design draws inspiration from a traditional Chinese garden, with strong horizontal and vertical lines creating a distinctive presence.
A dragon-inspired front and elongated silhouette combine to deliver a design that is both elegant and understated.
The M9 Premium features heated and ventilated front seats, while second-row captain's chairs offer heating, ventilation and a near zero-gravity seating position.
The M9 offers 470 litres of luggage capacity with all seats in place.
A 1,500kg braked towing capacity further enhances its versatility.
Safety was a key focus throughout the M9’s development, with 73 per cent of the vehicle structure made from high-strength steel for enhanced crash performance.
It also offers up to nine airbags, a 360-degree camera system, five millimetre-wave radars, eight ultrasonic sensors and a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) technologies.
Sentry Mode further enhances security by monitoring for potential threats or intrusion while the M9 is parked.
