BYD Sealion 06: Second-generation mid-size SUV for China

BYD has launched the second generation of its mid-size SUV, the Sealion 06, in China. The model remains available as both a pure electric vehicle and a plug-in hybrid, but now looks generally more refined. As a BEV, it starts at the equivalent of around €16,600 on the domestic market.

BYD has officially launched the Sealion 06 in China. The new mid-size SUV is a fresh development based on the group’s in-house “e-platform 3.0 evo”. Like its predecessor, the Sealion 6, it is offered in its home market both as a pure electric vehicle and as a plug-in hybrid on an adapted platform.

BYD first unveiled the Sealion 06 in April at Auto Shanghai. It belongs to the manufacturer’s “Ocean” model family. The pure electric version starts from 139,800 yuan, equivalent to around €16,600.

This second generation will replace the current model, which the Chinese manufacturer introduced back in 2020 – initially with an internal combustion engine only, and from 2021 also as a PHEV and BEV. In Europe, BYD offers a closely related model under the name Seal U, which is a visually similar variant with pure electric drive. The European version is also likely to be replaced soon by a derivative of the new Sealion 06.

Compared directly, the new generation looks noticeably smoother and more refined. At the front, the split headlights and the air curtains integrated into the bumper are particularly striking. The rear features a trendy full-width light bar. BYD states the length at 4.81 metres, meaning the SUV has grown by three centimetres. At the same time, the model is 1.92 metres wide and 1.67 metres high. The NEV market leader puts the kerb weight at between 1.9 and 2.2 tonnes.

BYD aims to impress with the Sealion 06’s spacious interior. Even with the seats up, the boot accommodates 757 litres, expanding to 1,630 litres with the rear seats folded down. There is also a front boot (frunk) offering 142 litres of space. Inside, the SUV features a large panoramic roof and heated as well as ventilated seats.

As a pure electric vehicle, the Sealion 06 is available with three different powertrain configurations. The base rear motor produces 170 kW, but BYD also offers a single-motor variant with 180 kW. The all-wheel-drive performance version combines the latter with an additional front motor, resulting in a total system output of 310 kW.

Image: BYD

Plug-in hybrids with particularly long range

BYD continues to use its signature Blade batteries with LFP chemistry. They come with a capacity of either 65.3 or 78.7 kWh, which should provide a CLTC range of 520 to 605 kilometres. The all-wheel-drive version has a range of around 550 kilometres. The performance model costs 169,800 yuan, or around €20,200, making it roughly 20 per cent more expensive than the single-motor base model.

For European standards, BYD equips its plug-in hybrid variants with unusually large batteries of 26.6 kWh. This allows the hybrid Sealion to cover 170 kilometres purely electrically, while combined with the combustion engine, it could theoretically achieve a total range of 1,670 kilometres.

Should a European derivative of the Sealion 06 make its way here, it is likely to be significantly more expensive – if only due to tariffs on Chinese EVs. BYD could circumvent these by producing the European version at its new factory in Hungary.

carnewschina.com