2 New BYD Electric Vehicles Trademarked In India

• BYD has trademarked two new EVs in India.

• One is the Seagull electric hatchback, while the other model is the mid-size Sea Lion SUV.

• The seagull could get either a 30kWh or 38kWh battery pack, offering up to 405km of claimed range.

• The Sea Lion electric SUV was spied testing recently and is yet to debut globally.

• The BYD Seagull could be launched in India sometime in 2024.

We had called it back in April; and now, BYD's smallest offering, the Seagull electric hatchback, is poised to make its mark in India as the company has registered its name for trademark. It was unveiled at the Auto Shanghai 2023 show in April, and actually isn’t the only new vehicle to get registered here, as a mid-size EV called the Sea Lion has also been trademarked. The Sea Lion hasn't been revealed just yet, but was papped while testing in markets abroad recently, and will likely arrive in India sometime after its global launch.

Seagull’s exterior and interior design

As for the Seagull, it is a Tata Tiago-sized hatchback with a confident tallboy stance that's accentuated by its sharp and edgy creases. The front sports a sharp headlight cluster and an assertively styled bumper, while the windowline in profile tapers upwards quite aggressively. 

An integrated roof spoiler along with the contours around the side sill add sporty character to its styling. The rear hops on the trend of connected LED taillamps and there's a diffuser-like element in the lower part of the sculpted bumper as well.

Despite its compact size, the Seagull surprises with an opulent interior reminiscent of the MG Comet EV. Drawing inspiration from the BYD Atto 3, its steering wheel and dashboard layout exude familiarity. The adaptable touchscreen system offers both portrait and landscape orientations, just like the Atto 3. Complementing this is a sleek digital driver's display. Overall, the cabin has rather smooth flowing lines with a pinch of quirkiness – a BYD trait that we have no grouse against.

Seagull’s powertrain

Powering the Seagull in global markets are two battery options: 30kWh and 38kWh. The smaller battery sends charge to a 74PS electric motor, and promises a range of 305 km; while the latter, coupled with a 100PS electric motor, boasts an extended range of up to 405 km. There are no details on the India-spec model’s specifications.

Sea Lion’s limited details

The Sea Lion is going to be a mid-size SUV, and going by the spy shots, will have a silhouette that leans towards the lines of a crossover. It’ll sit above the Atto 3 and is expected to sport a rather zany and opulent interior and features list. 

Also Read: Here’s A Sneak Peek At The Mahindra BE 05, Its First Born Electric SUV

The BYD Sea Lion is likely to inherit the same 60.48kWh battery pack as the Atto 3 for a promised range north of 500km, but might pack more performance. Enthusiasts might also relish the prospect of an all-wheel-drive option, featuring a larger battery, likely the 82.5 kWh battery pack from the Seal electric sedan, which will offer an extended range of up to 700km.

In China, the BYD Seagull retails from 78,800 RMB to 95,800 RMB (approximately Rs 9 lakh to Rs 11 lakh). For the Indian market, it is expected to arrive sometime in 2024 with a starting price of around Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom), which could make it an apt rival to the MG Comet EV, Tata Tiago EV, and Citroen eC3.

As for the Sea Lion, it's destined for a later entrance, likely after its global launch. The potential price could exceed Rs 35 lakh (ex-showroom). It will sit above the Atto 3 and take the fight to the likes of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Volvo XC40 Recharge.