BYD to start selling A-class sport sedan L3 in August

Shanghai, June 29 (Gasgoo.com) BYD Auto said last week that the company plans to release its BYD L3, a "super-A-class" sport sedan, to the market in August, media reported. The car will be likely priced above 120,000 yuan ($17,600).

As one of BYD's new models for launch this year, The BYD L3 measures 4,568mm x 1,716 mm x 1,480mm, with a wheelbase of 2,615mm. Equipped with BYD's self-developed 1.8L 483QA engine, the L3 sport car can run at the highest speed of 175km per hour with its maximum power of 90 KW and torque of 160 Nm.

The BYD L3 model will feature a 1.8-liter CVT automatic transmission. In addition to the electric sunroof, NAVI voice-electronic navigation system and many other user-friendly electronic functions, it is also equipped with dual front airbags, side airbags, side-curtain air bags, ABS and parking distance control.

The L3 is positioned higher than the company's G3 sedan. It's expected to appear on the market in August and will be sold via the A2 network. BYD said that the L3 would compete with manual models of joint venture brands in the Chinese market, such as Cruze, Elantra, Corolla, and Excelle.

BYD, who aims to sell 800,000 cars in 2010, will launch four new models (L3, i6, S6 and M6) in the second half of this year. The company has divided its sales network into three divisions: A1 for selling F3, F6, S6 models, A2 for F0, F3R, L3 models and A3 for G3, G6 models.