Sunday, July 27, 2025

BYD Sealion 06 – Larger, Quicker, Stronger, Higher



The BYD Sealion 6 first appeared in 2020 as a gasoline powered midsize SUV in China, earlier than BYD made the choice in 2021 to supply solely battery electrical and plug-in hybrid fashions going ahead. That appeared to be an enormous gamble on the time, however since then, BYD has seen its gross sales soar, making it one of many world’s largest automotive firms by quantity.

In 2021, the Sealion 6 turned the Sealion 06. A yr in the past, David Waterworthour correspondent in Australia, shared the impressions of his good friend Garry after driving the plug-in hybrid model of the primary technology Sealion 06 for 3 months. One of many issues that impressed Garry probably the most was that the automotive price about $27,000 AUS lower than an equal mannequin from Mitsubishi.

In April, BYD unveiled the following technology Sealion 06, which sells in China for 139,800 to 163,800 yuan ($19,500 to 22,700) in response to Automobile Information China. From the pictures, what we see is a totally trendy trying midsize SUV that — squint a bit of — appears just like the Tesla Mannequin Y, which sells for almost twice as a lot in China.

The cut up headlight motif will not be all people’s cup of tea, however it’s a styling characteristic discovered on many vehicles as we speak, notably Genesis fashions from Hyundai Motor Company. Find it irresistible or hate it, the look is extra interesting than the nuclear powered cheese grater grille that Lexus likes to slap on the entrance of its vehicles.

The brand new mid-size SUV is predicated on BYD’s “e-platform 3.0 evo” which is able to charging at 800 volts. Like the primary technology Sealion 06, it’s provided in its house market each as a pure electrical automobile and as a plug-in hybrid. The PHEV model makes use of a modified platform, however each vehicles share the identical exterior look. In Europe, BYD presents a really related mannequin underneath the identify Seal U. At the moment, that automotive is battery electrical solely however Electrive says a plug-in hybrid model shall be provided in European quickly.

In contrast instantly, the brand new technology appears noticeably smoother and extra refined, Electrive says. “On the entrance, the cut up headlights and the air curtains built-in into the bumper are notably placing. The rear incorporates a fashionable full-width gentle bar.” BYD says the second technology automotive is three centimeters longer than the unique, coming in at 4.81 meters (16 ft). That makes it a bit bigger than the Tesla Mannequin Y, which is 4,750 mm (15.6 ft) lengthy. The brand new mannequin is 1.92 meters (6.3 ft) extensive and 1.67 meters (5.5 ft) excessive. It weighs between  1.9 and a pair of.2 metric tons, relying on how it’s configured..

Three Configurations For BYD Sealion 06 BEV

In battery electrical kind, the Sealion 06 is available in three configurations. Two rear wheel drive variations provide a selection between a 170 kW (228 hp) or a 180 kW (241 hp) motor. The twin motor all wheel drive efficiency model makes use of the 180 kW motor on the rear and provides a second motor driving the entrance wheels for a mixed output of 310 kW (416 hp). BYD presents drivers a selection of two battery packs — 65.3 or 78.7 kWh — each of which use the corporate’s proprietary Blade LFP battery know-how.

Sealion World 06
Picture credit score: BYD

At the moment, BYD markets its plug-in hybrid fashions for Europe with a 26.6 kWh battery — a bit of bigger than the battery within the authentic Nissan LEAF — which provides them really spectacular battery-only vary of 170 km (105 miles). At CleanTechnicawe all know a lot of our readers are conflicted about PHEVs. Why add the complexity of two energy trains while you solely want one? And in reality, the info means that PHEVs have extra upkeep and restore points than both combustion engine or battery powered vehicles, so why burden your self with them?

The reply is vary nervousness. Battery powered vehicles are nonetheless comparatively new know-how and the charging infrastructure just isn’t as strong because it could possibly be. For those who run low on battery cost in South Succotash or East Overshoe on a wet evening with no EV chargers round, that may be a problem. Higher protected than sorry appears to be the commonest clarification for why some folks want PHEVs over BEVs.

With 100 miles of vary, a PHEV could be pushed like a battery powered automotive. Drive it, plug it in an evening, and by no means go to a gasoline station once more. Simply don’t overlook to place a dollop of STABIL within the tank to maintain your gasoline from turning to jelly because it sits, unused and unloved, month after month. The automotive will create virtually no carbon emissions, the driving force will get to economize as a result of electrical energy prices lower than gasoline, and the proprietor will get used to plugging in, which can make one thing as soon as dreaded right into a nothing burger. Can a PHEV be a gateway drug to pure battery electrical motoring? Completely.

Midsize On The Outdoors, Huge On The Inside

On the within, the BYD Sealion 06 has lots to advocate it, beginning with a panoramic glass roof and together with heated and ventilated seats. There’s additionally a lot of room for the stuff folks prefer to convey with then once they go locations. With the rear seats up, there are 757 liters (27 cu ft) of room for issues of all shapes, sizes, and descriptions. With the rear seats folded down, the cupboard space greater than doubles to 1,630 (58 cu ft). There may be additionally a frunk up entrance in battery electrical variations with a further 142 liters (5 cu ft) of storage.

The Sealion 06 presents lots of what folks prefer to name “worth for cash.” Put one other method, prospects really feel like they’re getting greater than they paid for, which is just about the important thing to the gross sales sport. The value in Europe shall be considerably larger than in China, largely due to the tariffs imposed by the EU on Chinese language vehicles, however BYD has the reply. It’s planning two European factories and a 3rd in Turkey, which can permit it to keep away from these pesky tariffs and put value strain on conventional EU producers like Volkswagen, Fiat, and Renault.

The BYD Sealion 06 represents a distillation of the most recent considering on this planet of vehicles. It’s the proper measurement for a lot of drivers, has ample cargo capability, all of the bells and whistles within the inside anybody may probably need, and comes with a really aggressive beginning value. It additionally illustrates how Tesla has probably painted itself onto a nook. BYD has the posh of providing its prospects a selection between a PHEV or a battery electrical. Tesla has no such PHEV possibility — a mirrored image of the philosophy of its chief, Elon Musk.

Ten years in the past, that single minded give attention to battery electrical vehicles appeared like a successful technique. ‘Right now? Not a lot. The lesson right here appears to be that philosophy doesn’t essentially translate into advertising technique. That’s the reason BYD is consuming Tesla’s lunch as we speak and appears poised to proceed doing so for the foreseeable future.


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