BYD teases e6 facelift for India; Diwali launch expected

BYD India has teased a facelift for the e6 MPV, which, according to our sources, will be launched here by Diwali this year. The e6 was BYD’s first model for India, and initially, it was only sold as a commercial vehicle before being made available for private buyers as well in September 2022.

The company unveiled and launched the e6 facelift at the GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) in July. In Indonesia, it is called the M6, and sources say BYD will use the same branding for the updated MPV in India. Besides cosmetic exterior updates, the e6 will get more features inside.

As with most facelifts, the cosmetic updates are limited to the soft plastic parts. In front, the e6 gets new full-LED headlamps with a revised LED daytime running lamp signature, and the two units are connected by a new satin trim with BYD lettering on it. It also gets a new front bumper featuring more contoured air vents towards the edges and garnished with new chrome elements.

At the rear, the e6 facelift gets a new pair of wraparound tail-lamps that are much larger than before and get new LED detailing. The rear bumper has also been slightly tweaked; it gets new chrome inserts, just like the front one. Nothing much has changed in profile, although the e6 is expected to get a new set of alloy wheels.

Inside, the biggest update is a larger 12.8-inch floating touchscreen, up from 10.1-inch in the existing car. Otherwise, the dashboard remains mostly unchanged. The centre console has been slightly revised with two wireless charging pads, some new switchgear and a new drive selector lever. It also gets a new steering wheel but retains analogue dials for the instrument cluster.

Internationally, the e6 comes in either 6- or 7-seater configurations, but it remains to be seen which one is offered here. Currently, the India-spec e6 is only a 5-seater. Other features of interest include automatic climate control, 360-degree cameras, cruise control, ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof and a powered tailgate.

In Indonesia, the e6 has two battery pack options: a 55.4kWh unit with a claimed range of 420km and a 71.8kWh unit with 530km range. It produces 163hp with the smaller battery and 204hp with the larger battery; torque is rated at 310Nm for both variants. That’s quite a significant step up from the 95hp and 180Nm outputs of the existing car.

BYD already offers the 71.8kWh battery on the e6 in India, so that’ll likely remain unchanged. Do note that the claimed range with this larger battery is up by 8km. Whether the smaller battery pack will be offered in India is not yet known.

The BYD e6 is currently priced at Rs 29.15 lakh (ex-showroom), and the updated model is expected to come at a reasonable premium. Being an electric MPV, it has no direct rival in the market.