BYD’s upcoming product for the Indian market, the Seal sedan, has been spotted on the outskirts of Chennai. The sedan, set to go on sale in early March 2024, has already started unofficial bookings through dealers. The Seal EV made its debut at the Auto Expo 2023.
Exterior Highlights
The Seal sedan boasts a length of 4,800mm, width of 1,875mm, and a height of 1,460mm. Drawing design inspiration from the Ocean X concept, it adheres to BYD’s “ocean aesthetics” design language. Notable features include a coupe-like all-glass roof, flush-fitting door handles, four boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights, a split headlamp design, and a full-width LED light bar at the rear.
Features and Technology
Inside, the BYD Seal is equipped with a rotating 15.6-inch infotainment display, similar to the Atto 3 SUV and e6 MPV. The driver benefits from a separate 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display. The interior also features gloss black inserts, contrasting dashboard shades, and integrated speakers in the door handles. Basic controls for functions like the heated windscreen and wireless charging pads are conveniently located on the center console.
Powertrain and Range
Globally, the Seal offers two battery options – a 61.4kWh unit with up to 500km CLTC range and an 82.5kWh unit with up to 700km range. Both batteries support blade tech and feature fast-charging capabilities. The Seal is available with two powertrain options – a single-motor and dual-motor setup. Indian models are expected to feature the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration with a combined output of 530hp, outperforming competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6.
India Launch Details
Unofficial bookings for the BYD Seal are already underway, with deliveries expected to commence after the official price announcement. The starting price is anticipated to be around Rs 50 lakh.
Rivals and Global Standing
The Seal joins BYD’s Atto 3 SUV and e6 MPV in the Indian passenger vehicle market. Positioned to compete with models like the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Seal marks BYD’s third product in this segment. Notably, BYD has globally outsold Tesla, posting a year-on-year growth of 73 percent.
BYD’s Advantage over Tesla in India
While Tesla has been pursuing entry into the Indian market, BYD has already established a presence, entering in 2021 and offering two models for sale. Tesla’s potential entry is pending government approval and involves a substantial investment of USD 2 billion for a manufacturing plant, a process that has been ongoing for several years. Talks of an official announcement at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit did not materialize.
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