BYD is expanding into Australia’s premium people-mover market with the new M9, offering seven- and eight-seat configurations, DC charging and up to 145km of electric driving range.
The BYD M9 will give fleet operators another electrified option for executive transport, community services, airport transfers and other passenger-carrying applications when it arrives in Australian showrooms.
The range will launch with the seven-seat M9 Premium, priced from $72,990 before on-road costs, followed by the eight-seat M9 Dynamic at $61,990 before on-road costs. Both variants will be front-wheel drive.
BYD Australia Chief Operating Officer Stephen Collins said the M9 was the seventh all-new model introduced by the company within 12 months.
“The M9 marks the seventh all-new model BYD has introduced within 12 months, and all of them in new segments,” Collins said.
The M9 uses BYD’s DM-i 5.0 Super Hybrid powertrain, combining a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor.
The Premium receives a 36.60kWh Blade Battery and offers a targeted WLTP electric range of up to 145km. Its targeted combined driving range is up to 850km.
The Dynamic uses a smaller 20.39kWh Blade Battery. Final Australian range and energy-consumption figures remain subject to local specification, ADR testing and verification.
Both grades support AC and DC charging, making the M9 more flexible than plug-in hybrids limited to slower AC charging. Vehicle-to-load functionality will also allow electrical equipment to be powered from the vehicle.
For fleets, the combination of meaningful electric range and petrol backup could suit operations involving regular metropolitan journeys alongside occasional longer-distance travel. Vehicles that return to a depot or nominated home-charging location could potentially complete much of their daily work using electricity without relying solely on public charging during longer trips.
Measuring 5,145mm long, 1,970mm wide and 1,805mm high, the M9 rides on a 3,045mm wheelbase and provides seating across three rows.
The Premium features second-row captain’s chairs with heating, ventilation and a near-zero-gravity seating position. Heated and ventilated front seats are also included, supporting its positioning for executive transport and premium passenger services.
Cabin technology includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air software updates and four-zone voice control.
An integrated refrigerator and hotbox can cool items to between -6°C and 6°C or heat them to between 35°C and 50°C. Available augmented-reality projection technology provides access to the power sliding doors and tailgate.
Despite its three-row layout, the M9 offers 470 litres of luggage capacity with every seat in use. Its 1,500kg braked towing capacity adds further versatility, although fleet operators will need to consider passenger numbers, luggage, tow-ball download and vehicle mass limits when calculating usable payload.
Safety equipment includes up to nine airbags, a 360-degree camera, five millimetre-wave radars, eight ultrasonic sensors and a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems.
BYD says 73 per cent of the vehicle’s structure is manufactured from high-strength steel. Sentry Mode can also monitor the vehicle for potential threats or intrusion while parked.
The M9 will broaden BYD’s Australian range beyond passenger cars, SUVs and utilities, while bringing plug-in hybrid technology to a segment that remains important for large families, accommodation providers, community organisations and passenger-transport fleets.
The seven-seat M9 Premium is expected to reach showrooms first, with the eight-seat Dynamic to follow. Final Australian specifications and launch timing will be confirmed closer to arrival.
