Skip advert
Advertisement

New BYD Seal: UK specs announced ahead of 2023 launch

The Seal is a new electric family saloon with up to 523bhp and UK deliveries are due before the end of 2023

BYD has confirmed full details of its new Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 6 rival, the Seal. Destined to arrive in UK dealers in the second half of this year, with deliveries before the end of 2023, the European-spec Seal will have a choice of power outputs, including a dual-motor configuration with 523bhp.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The four-door model will sit at the top of BYD’s growing UK line-up, positioned above the existing Atto 3 and the Dolphin hatchback, which should go on sale in late summer. It uses the same e-platform 3.0 as those vehicles, equipped with BYD’s lithium-iron phosphate (LPF) battery chemistry and its patented ‘blade’ layout, which does away with conventional packs and modules and integrates the cells into the car’s structure.

The Seal will be available in two specifications. There’s a real-wheel-drive edition with a single motor producing 308bhp – enough for a 0-62mph time of 5.9 seconds. This car has an 82kWh battery that can deliver 354 miles of range on the WLTP test cycle.

The range-topping Seal looks set to take on higher-powered Tesla Model 3s, as well as a future N-badged version of the Ioniq 6. It has two motors for four-wheel drive and a combined output of 523bhp, and can reach 62mph in 3.8 seconds. Its battery capacity is slightly reduced, at 80kWh, and its range drops as a result of this and the extra performance, to 323 miles.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Both versions of the Seal get 150kW DC charging that can take the battery from 30 to 80 per cent of its capacity in 26 minutes. A heat pump is standard on all versions, along with three-phase 11kW AC charging.

Inside, the Seal features an even larger version of BYD’s infotainment display – 15.6 inches – but engineers have kept the rotating function seen on the Atto 3, so the screen can move between portrait and landscape layouts. The car has space for five adults, with a wheelbase that’s just over five centimetres longer than a Tesla Model 3’s, and just three centimetres shorter than the Ioniq 6’s. The boot capacity is 402 litres, and there’s an additional 53-litre ‘frunk’ beneath the bonnet.

The Seal is expected to arrive in UK showrooms shortly after the BYD Dolphin. There’s no word yet on prices or specs, but we’d expect it to get close to the Model 3’s starting figure of around £41,000. The dual-motor Seal could conceivably breach the £50k mark in top trim, although even at the figure, it would have the potential to outgun the peak Ioniq 6 on power, equipment and battery capacity.

Will BYD have rivals in a flap? Can the Seal be a Tesla killer in Europe? Have your say in the comments...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Editor-at-large

John started journalism reporting on motorsport – specifically rallying, which he had followed avidly since he was a boy. After a stint as editor of weekly motorsport bible Autosport, he moved across to testing road cars. He’s now been reviewing cars and writing news stories about them for almost 20 years.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

BYD Sea Lion 07 ready to roar for 2025 UK launch
BYD Sea Lion Beijing Motor Show 2024
News

BYD Sea Lion 07 ready to roar for 2025 UK launch

The coupe-styled SUV is next in a long line of new models from BYD, and looks to rival the Volkswagen ID.5
26 Apr 2024
Beijing Motor Show 2024: all the key cars and why they matter
Geneva Motor Show
News

Beijing Motor Show 2024: all the key cars and why they matter

The word’s major car manufacturers wheeled out their latest cars in China this month
26 Apr 2024
BYD Ocean-M could be a Golf GTI-rivalling EV hot hatchback
BYD Ocean-M on display at Beijing Motor Show - front static
News

BYD Ocean-M could be a Golf GTI-rivalling EV hot hatchback

Chinese maker looks to fill every available niche, revealing a hot electric hatchback at the Beijing Motor Show
26 Apr 2024
New BYD Seagull will come to the UK in 2025 to rival the Dacia Spring
BYD Seagull - front
News

New BYD Seagull will come to the UK in 2025 to rival the Dacia Spring

A new European-market BYD Seagull electric supermini is set to hit UK showrooms in the second half of next year
24 Apr 2024

Most Popular

Cheap EV charging comes to public chargepoints via new ‘Plunge Pricing’ app
Octopus Energy’s Electroverse
News

Cheap EV charging comes to public chargepoints via new ‘Plunge Pricing’ app

Octopus’ ‘Plunge Pricing’ events promise to save electric car drivers an average of £6.50 per charge
17 May 2024
Skoda Scala vs Citroen C4 2024 twin test: which is the best-value family hatchback?
Skoda Scala and Citroen C4 - front tracking
Car group tests

Skoda Scala vs Citroen C4 2024 twin test: which is the best-value family hatchback?

The revised Skoda Scala takes on Citroen’s C4 in the battle to be the best-value family hatchback
18 May 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric at an unbeatable £201 a month
Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer front cornering
News

Car Deal of the Day: Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric at an unbeatable £201 a month

Our Deal of the Day selection for 18 May will appeal to those who want an all-electric family car that’s not a SUV
18 May 2024