Auto Expo 2023: BYD Seal EV Unveiled As Carmaker’s Answer To The Tesla Model 3

• BYD Seal will slot above the Atto 3 electric SUV in the carmaker’s lineup in India.  

• It has a sleek, minimalist exterior and a more toned-down interior design than the Atto 3. 

• Powered by a 82.5 kWh battery pack good for a claimed range of 700km. 

• Launch in October, prices expected to start at around Rs 40 lakh (ex-showroom). 

Lesser-known Chinese carmaker BYD has showcased what might be its prettiest EV ever, the Seal electric sedan. Odd name aside, the Seal EV is a futuristic sedan that has now been confirmed for the Indian market. It will be launched around October, with deliveries set to begin during the festive season. 

BYD Seal Design 

On the outside, the Seal EV looks clean and minimalist, with large LED headlights and C-shaped DRLs at the front. That said, it has plenty of design flair, such as the intricately designed LED lighting elements in the side air vents and bumper trim bits. 

Viewed from the side, the Seal EV looks low-slung and sleek, with an aerodynamic profile and aero-style five-split spoke alloy wheels. 

At the rear, it features connected LED taillights beautifully patterned with LED elements made to resemble fish scales. Lower down, the bumper has side vents  and a faux diffuser-like trim element at the bottom. 

Underneath the bodywork, the Seal EV is based on the e-Platform 3.0 which also underpins the Atto 3 electric SUV. It has CTB (cell-to-body) technology which makes the battery pack a structural part of the car’s bodyframe, enabling a significant reduction in weight. 

Classy interior aesthetics

Anyone who’s been inside an Atto 3 will find the overall design language chosen for the Seal EV’s interiors, familiar. However, it has been toned-down and looks a lot less polarising than its SUV stablemate’s cabin design. The Seal EV has a rotating 15.6-inch touchscreen and an 10.25-inch digital driver’s display. Other features include a panoramic glass roof and driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and blind spot monitoring. 

BYD Seal EV Powertrains 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by BYD India (@byd.india)

In India, the Seal EV is expected to get the Long Range variant with an 82.5kWh battery pack good for up to 700km of range (claimed). It’s powered by a dual-motor all-wheel drivetrain (AWD) with 312PS and 360Nm, enough for a 0-100kmph time of 5.9 seconds – respectable for a relatively heavy electric sedan. Overseas, a smaller 61.4kWh variant good for a driving range of 550km is also offered. There’s even a 530PS AWD performance variant offered in the Chinese market that does 0-100kmph in just 3.8 seconds! 

If launched in India, the BYD Seal EV will compete with multiple EVs in the Rs 40-60 lakh price bracket, spinning multiple segments, ranging from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 to the BMW i4. It is expected to carry a price tag of around Rs 40 lakh (ex-showroom).