The BYD F3 is a compact car that was produced by BYD and was one of the top selling

compact car Compact car is a vehicle size class — predominantly used in North America — that sits between subcompact cars and mid-size cars. "Small family car" is a British term and a part of the C-segment in the European car classification. However, ...

s in China. Production of the first generation model commenced in September 2005, and facelifts were done in 2014 and 2016 with a few variants spawned including the

BYD F3DM The BYD F3DM (Dual-mode) was a plug-in hybrid compact sedan manufactured by BYD with an all-electric range of and a hybrid electric powertrain that can extend the range an additional . The F3DM is the world's first mass-produced plug-in hybri ...

hybrid version, and the larger and more premium

BYD G3 The BYD G3 is a compact car by BYD. It is essentially an enlarged version of the BYD's compact car BYD F3 The BYD F3 is a compact car that was produced by BYD and was one of the top selling compact cars in China. Production of the first gene ...

and

BYD L3 The BYD L3 (or BYD F5 and BYD New F3 in Latin America) is a compact car manufactured by BYD Co., Ltd., a Chinese automobile manufacturer based in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. Overview The BYD L3 is essentially an evolution of the BYD F3 The ...

. The second generation model 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 The BYD Qin (pronounced "Chin") is a compact sedan developed by BYD Auto, available as an all-electric car, as a plug-in hybrid and as an internal combustion engine vehicle. The plug-in hybrid variant (which was the only variant available in t ...

which later replaced the Surui and fits inline with the rest of the Dynasty series BYD models.

First generation (2005–2021)

The first generation BYD F3 commenced production in September 2005. The original F3 is powered by Mitsubishi's 4G-series four-cylinder engines for early models. File:BYD F3 01 China 2012-06-02.JPG, 2005–2014 BYD F3 front File:BYD F3 rear 2 China 2012-04-15.JPG, 2005–2014 BYD F3 rear File:BYD F3R 01 China 2016-04-06.jpg, 2007 BYD F3R front File:BYD F3R 02 China 2016-04-06.jpg, 2007 BYD F3R rear

2014 facelift

In March 2014, the first generation BYD F3 was facelifted and started production that year alongside the second generation model. It was given a new grille, headlights, tail lights, bumpers, wheels and mirrors. Pricing starts from to . It runs on a 1.5L four cylinder engine known as the BYD473QE producing 107 horsepower. This engine has been the signature for the F3 since 2011. A turbocharged 1.5L engine is also available as the BYD476ZQA producing 151 horsepower. Transmission choices for this model are 5 speed manual, 6 speed manual or a 6 speed automatic gearbox. The 1.5 liter turbo engine was discontinued in mid 2015. File:BYD F3 facelift 01 China 2015-04-06.jpg, 2014–2021 BYD F3 facelift front File:BYD F3 facelift 02 China 2015-04-06.jpg, 2014–2021 BYD F3 facelift rear File:BYD F3 facelift -- Auto China -- 2014-04-23.jpg, BYD F3 at Auto China 2014

2015 facelift L3 version

The first generation BYD F3 received another facelift in 2016. The updated F3 is powered by the same 1.5 liter inline-four engine with 109hp, mated to a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission. The facelift features redesigned front ends and rear ends. File:BYD F3 facelift II China 2017-03-22.jpg, 2015–2021 BYD F3 2016 facelift front File:2017 BYD F3.jpg, 2016–2021 BYD F3 2015 facelift rear

Specification

The BYD F3 features a 4-cylinder, 1.5-liter,

Mitsubishi Orion engine The is a group of autonomous Japanese multinational companies in a variety of industries. Founded by Yatarō Iwasaki in 1870, the Mitsubishi Group historically descended from the Mitsubishi zaibatsu, a unified company which existed from 187 ...

(4G15S) with distributor-less Bosch ignition and fuel injection. The vehicle boasts Euro 4 emissions standards. Engine output is . Fuel efficiency is rated at approx . A 1.6-liter

(4G18) was standard. Engine output is while fuel efficiency is rated at approx . The Mitsubishi engines were then replaced by new BYD engines from 2011 onwards. The transmission MaTriX is a 5-speed manual transmission. Three point safety belts, power steering, alloy wheels fitted with 195/60 R15 tires, 4-wheel ABS disk brake system as standard, LED tail lights, and halogen headlights.

Equipment

The BYD F3 owner can choose from 3 trim packages (GL-i, GL-X, and GL- Xi). All models come with standard equipment: AC, AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo, electric windows and mirrors. Optional equipment includes upgraded leather seats, 3rd brake-light, driver and passenger air bags, auxiliary front fog lights and upgraded audio / IVI (in vehicle infotainment). Color schemes are white, black, champagne, and red, with black being most common.

Derivatives

Derivatives of the BYD F3 include the

(dual mode, rechargeable electric / gas rechargeable vehicle), BYD F3R (hatchback),

(Evolved version),

(Slightly larger version), and BYD Surui (Luxury version). In 2009, BYD introduced the G3 as an updated/upgraded compact class vehicle - however, the F3 will continue to be sold in domestic markets.

Marketing

In March 2011, BYD reduced prices on 5 of their vehicles to address slowing domestic PRC auto sales as government incentives and stimulus wind down. The price reductions range from 5 to 15% of vehicle cost. The price-reduced models include the F0, F3, G3, F6. Several new models are due out in 2011 including a Mini-van and a HUV/CUV vehicle. In March 2011, a review of the BYD F3DM (dual mode electric and gas vehicle) was published in the NY Times news paper. The author gave the BYD F3DM a solid, if rather utilitarian review. The price point is reported to be approximately after government incentives. Currently BYD is planning a dealer network in North America with the first retail outlet slated for Los Angeles, California. 5 other dealerships are expected initially. In 2011-2013 BYD F3 was assembled in

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, at

TagAZ TagAZ (russian: ТагАЗ, Таганрогский автомобильный завод, Taganrogskiy Avtomobilnyi Zavod, Taganrog Automobile Factory) was an automotive assembly plant located in Taganrog, Russia. An affiliated enterprise is the ...

factory. File:BYD F3 1.5 GSi 2013 (10193727016).jpg, BYD F3 export (BYD L3 in China) File:BYD F3R GLi 2013.jpg, 2008–2013 BYD F3R export (BYD G3R in China) front

2020 return

The first generation F3 made a return for the 2020 model year with the only one trim level available known as the Classic version. The same 1.5 litre engine is standard known as the BYD473QF and is paired to a 5 speed manual gearbox and is priced at 44,900 yuan (6,360 USD - May 2020 exchange rate).

Second generation (2012–2018)

In April 2012, the second generation BYD F3 Plus, also called

Su Rui Su Rui (; born 13 June 1952) is a Taiwanese singer. In 1968, Su Rui skipped class to participate in a singing competition and was selected, joining the Zero Chorus to sing Western pop songs, and began her singing career. Later, she joined the Ac ...

, was launched at the

Beijing Auto Show Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, Beijing Motor Show or Auto China () is an auto show held biennially in Beijing, China since 1990. China is currently the largest auto market in the world. 2020 The 2020 Auto China show was due to open o ...

. During 2013, the

was also introduced in several export markets as the New F3. Transmission choices are a 5 speed manual, 6 speed manual or 6 speed dual clutch gearbox. File:BYD Surui 01 China 2014-04-28.jpg, 2012–2014 BYD Surui front File:BYD Surui 02 China 2014-04-28.jpg, 2012–2014 BYD Surui rear

2015 facelift

In February 2015, the F3 was facelifted again known as the "third generation" F3. The facelift included new headlights and tail lights, bumpers and a new dashboard available for the 2016 model year. It runs on the same 1.5 BYD473QE engine. The turbocharged engine was not available. Transmission are a 5 speed manual or 6 speed automatic gearbox. Pricing ranges from to . File:BYD Surui facelift China 2015-04-13.jpg, 2015–2018 BYD Surui facelift front File:BYD Surui facelift 02 China 2015-04-06.jpg, 2015–2018 BYD Surui facelift rear As of 2019, the F3 is still sold on the market alongside the Surui and the E5 and currently uses the BYD473QE engine paired to a 5 speed manual and 6 speed automatic gearbox. Pricing ranges between and ( to at 2019 exchange rates) with 4 trim levels known as Classic, Fashion, Elite and Exclusive with the automatic gearbox only available on the Exclusive model.

Discontinuation

The BYD F3 was discontinued in late 2021 due to decreasing sales and BYD switching its focus onto electric vehicles.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Byd F3 F3 Compact cars 2000s cars 2010s cars 2020s cars Cars introduced in 2005