Byd does not build many cars like the BYD F3: a 4-door Sedan (automobile) / sedan / 5-door hatchback (F3R) with 1.5 L BYD473QD/473QE/473QF Inline-four engine, built from 2005 to 2021 in the decade of stability control, dual-clutch gearboxes and the first serious hybrids.
The background
The BYD F3 is a compact car that was produced by the Chinese car manufacturer BYD between 2005 and 2021. The first BYD vehicle of their own design, production of the first generation model commenced in September 2005.
A few variants were introduced including the BYD F3DM plug-in hybrid version, and the larger and more premium BYD G3 and BYD L3. The second generation was launched in 2012 as a more premium option called the Surui. The second generation model was sold alongside the first generation facelift models and spawned the more upmarket BYD Qin which later replaced the Surui and fits inline with the rest of the Dynasty series BYD models.
The engineering
Under the skin sits 1.5 L BYD473QD/473QE/473QF Inline-four engine; other versions carried different engines, listed in the specification table below. Kerb weight is 1210 kg. The gearbox is a 5-speed MaTriX manual transmission / manual (2005–2021) / 6-speed automatic transmission / automatic (2014–present) / 4-speed automatic transmission / automatic (2008–2010). The layout matters: the engine drives the front wheels, the packaging choice that gives a small car a big cabin. The wheelbase is 2600 mm. These are manufacturer figures carried by Wikipedia and Wikidata, not road-test measurements.
Where it sits
Where it sits in Byd's history is not in doubt: the BYD Qin followed it. On a showroom list of its day it stood against the Audi Q7, the Kia Sportage, the Bugatti Veyron. Its Byd stablemates include the BYD 8TT and the BYD Atto 2.