BYD Seal U primed for Europe with all-electric and PHEV options
BYD Seal U is slightly taller and wider than the saloon from which it takes its name
Taller and wider sibling of Seal electric saloon to bring competitive range and more interior space
BYD has presented its first plug-in hybrid model for the European market at the 2024 Geneva motor show, also detailing its specifications ahead of an inevitable launch in the UK.
The BYD Seal U is a slightly taller and wider sibling to the electric Seal saloon and is already sold in the brand’s home country of China as the BYD Song.
Measuring 4775mm long, 1890mm wide and 1670mm high, the Seal U is significantly larger than the Seal saloon. It boasts a much larger boot, which measures 552 litres - larger than the Peugeot 3008 and the Skoda Karoq.
In China, the Seal U is available with both an all-electric and a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Both powertrains will be offered in the UK, with the electric edition offering either 71kWh or 87kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries.
The plug-in hybrid powertrain, meanwhile, combines a 1.5-litre, 106bhp petrol engine and a 194bhp electric motor, plus an 18.3kWh battery that offers around 68 miles of all-electric range. It makes use of a single-speed CVT automatic transmission.
The Seal U’s 18.3kWh battery can be charged from 30-80% in around 35 minutes, and it comes with vehicle-to-load charging capability as standard.
Standard equipment for the BYD Seal U includes 19in alloy wheels, plus LED headlights, vegan leather upholstery, wireless phone charging, an Infinity premium sound system, plus the brand’s 15.6in rotatable infotainment system.
As for the all-electric variant, it offers a claimed range of between 323 and 376 miles of range on the Chinese CLTC test cycle.
That’s according to local media reports, but these figures are expected to change when the model undergoes European WLTP testing.
Charging capabilities are yet to be detailed, but the Seal saloon – based on the same e-Platform 3.0 – can replenish its battery at rates up to 150kW. This is on a par with many current models, although it falls short of the 350kW offered by the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.
Two electric motors are offered in the Seal U, putting out 204bhp and 218bhp along with 229lb ft of torque.
BYD confirmed the BYD Seal U would be sold in the UK at the Munich motor show last year. The car is likely to be priced at a slight premium compared with its saloon counterpart, which is priced at just over £45,000, mirroring the relationship between the rival Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.
The SUV represents the next stage in BYD's European expansion, which began with the Atto 3 electric crossover late last year. It will soon be followed by the Dolphin hatchback, priced from £25,490.
The firm is the world’s biggest manufacturer of plug-in hybrid and battery-electric cars, having sold 1.8 million such vehicles in 2022. It aimed to increase its volumes by more than doubling in 2023.