Chinese EV Giant BYD Stuns Tesla with Unprecedented Fuel Efficiency

Chinese electric vehicle company BYD
Debut of the Seal 06 PHEV
Begins a significant expansion of its lineup

The total number of electric vehicles registered last year was 14.06 million, a 33.4% increase from the previous year. In particular, Chinese electric vehicle company BYD sold 2.88 million units, one million more than the last year, boasting an astonishing growth rate of 58.3%.

Meanwhile, BYD has announced that it will expand its lineup by adding a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model, the Seal 06, to the Seal series. The vehicle, expected to satisfy consumers who want a more eco-friendly and diverse driving experience, is attracting significant attention.

Introducing the BYD Seal 06
Expanding the Seal series

The PHEV sedan of BYD Seal 06 has been revealed in documents from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). Initially, the BYD Seal was a standalone product, but it gradually expanded its lineup to include the Seal, Seal DM-i PHEV, Seal U (the export name for Song Plus), and the most recent Seal 06.

The Seal 06 is the second Seal sedan with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. BYD has applied for market approval for Seal 06, and the MIIT has disclosed the application, including key specifications. The Seal 06 is a five-seater vehicle with a length, width, and height of 190 inches, 73.8 inches, and 58.9 inches, respectively, and a wheelbase of 109.8 inches.

Double L-shaped headlights
Petal-style wheel design

The Seal 06 has adopted a new Ocean Series design. It has new double L-shaped headlights instead of the signature “boomerang headlights” found on earlier Seal models. The rear view is similar to the BYD Seal DM-i, with almost the same width and height.

The streamlined front grille, which resembles a wide smile, adds a unique touch to the vehicle’s appearance. The petal-style wheels enhance the BYD’s appearance, while add-ons like a sunroof, panoramic sunroof, and mini sunroof provide customers with a personalized driving experience.

LFP Blade Battery
Comparable to BYD Qin L

The Seal 06 is based on the DM-i hybrid platform, and it will be equipped with modified versions of two drive powertrains equipped with 120 kWh and 160 kWh electric motors manufactured at BYD’s Hefei factory. Both powertrains feature BYD’s self-developed 1.5-liter ICE BYD with a peak output of 74 kW, and the top speed is about 112 mph. In addition, the Seal 06 is expected to be equipped with a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade Battery from BYD’s subsidiary FinDreams.

The Seal 06 is almost on par with the recently unveiled BYD Qin L, and it will be positioned a step below the BYD Seal and Seal DM-i. As BYD releases many new cars this year, it doesn’t seem very easy for the electric vehicle market to avoid being dominated by BYD. It will be interesting to see how the big names in electric vehicles react to the news of the Seal 06 release.