Announced as inbound earlier this month, Sime Darby Beyond Auto has officially launched the BYD M6 in Malaysia, with the MPV becoming the fourth BYD electric vehicle (EV) to go on sale here. The M6 arrives here as a fully-imported CBU model and is being offered in two variants.
These are the M6 Standard, which goes for RM109,800 and the M6 Extended, which is priced at RM123,800. Unlike other regional markets such as Indonesia and Thailand, Malaysia will only get one seating configuration for the model, and that’s the one with seven seats.
Measuring in at 4,710 mm long, 1,810 mm wide and 1,690 mm tall, with a 2,800 mm-long wheelbase, the M6 – essentially a revised version of the e6 – is closer in size to the Toyota Innova Zenix than the Veloz. Styling-wise, the M6 features a much sharper-looking front end, with a full-width silver bar (housing the BYD script) linking the revised multi-projector LED headlights. These sit above a wing-shaped bumper insert that ties neatly into the slim air intakes and chrome accents.
At the back, you’ll find handsome full-width taillights that integrate a slimmer, more subtle chrome strip, and the rear badging is now made up of a simple BYD logo. Both variants are equipped with similar wheels, in this case 17-inch Star Speed Y-spoke alloy units, wrapped with 225/55 profile tyres.
As for battery capacity, power outputs and performance, the Standard features a 55.4 kWh Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that powers a front-mounted electric motor, which offers 163 PS (161 hp or 120 kW) and 310 Nm in the way of output. This is good for a NEDC-rated range of 420 km and a 0-100 km/h time of 10.1 seconds.
The Extended gets a larger 71.8 kWh battery, which provides up to 530 km of travel (NEDC), and its motor has a higher power output, delivering 204 PS (201 hp or 150 kW) – similar to that seen on the Atto 3 – to bring the century sprint time down to 8.6 seconds. Torque remains identical, at 310 Nm. As for top speed, it’s 180 km/h, regardless of variant.
In terms of actual range, the NEDC rating should translate to a WLTP range closer to 360 km for the Standard, and about 450 km for the Extended, but given it uses an LFP battery, the M6 can be charged to 100% for regular use, so you can use the full range at all times without having to worry about battery degradation.
As for charging, the M6 Standard can accept up to 89 kW of DC fast charging, while the Extended can take up to 115 kW, the latter taking 40 minutes to get the battery from a 10 to 80% state-of-charge. Meanwhile, AC charging is limited to 7 kW on both variants.
Other relevant numbers are a kerb weight of 1,800 kg for the Standard and 1,915 kg for the Extended, a ground clearance of 170 mm and a boot space of 180 litres with the rear-most seats up; folding them down increases available volume to 580 litres.
Inside, the cabin retains the general layout first presented with the e6, but alters some elements, including the switch to a standard gear selector from a rotary unit and an increase in the size of the centre screen display from 10.1 inches to 12.8 inches (which is the same size as the Dolphin’s), The latter is also now powered and can rotate to offer a horizontal or vertical presentation.
Standard specifications include faux leather upholstery, analogue instrument gauges (with a five-inch TFT multi-info display), keyless entry, push-button start, an NFC key card, automatic air-conditioning, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a six-speaker audio system and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity.
Also on the standard equipment list is a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, cruise control, a PM 2.5 air filter, an electronic parking brake, brake auto hold and a portable charging cable. The M6 also supports a karaoke microphone function, offering the chance to belt out tunes (with full access to lyrics) when the vehicle is stationary, with the aid of an optional microphone.
The Extended naturally improves on the kit count, adding on bits such as a panoramic glass roof, six-way driver/four-way front passenger power-adjustable ventilated front seats (manual on the Standard), a Qi wireless mobile charger, a roof rack, alloy pedals, a powered tailgate and automatic high-beam control for the headlights.
Safety-wise, the M6 comes with six airbags (front, side, side curtain), stability control, traction control, a 360-degree camera system and rear parking sensors, among others.
BYD M6 brochure and price list. Click to enlarge.
To get the full ADAS suite of driver assistance systems, which adds on items such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane centring assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, emergency lane keeping assist and a door opening warning, you’ll have to opt for the Extended.
The BYD M6 is available in four exterior colours, these being Crystal White, Ink Stone Blue, Cosmos Black and Harbour Grey, while the interior is presented in a black/brown scheme. It comes with a six-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty, an eight-year/160,000 km (with a state-of-health above 70%) battery warranty and an eight-year/150,000 km drive unit warranty.
GALLERY: 2024 BYD M6 Extended
GALLERY: 2024 BYD M6 Standard
