Having launched the Seal Dynamic in September and the M6 MPV last month, it’s shaping up to be a busy final quarter for BYD Malaysia and Sime Darby Beyond Auto, with yet another BYD model launch set to come about before the year is out.
On its Facebook page, BYD Malaysia has posted a teaser image hinting that a “performance SUV with premium styling” is due to arrive soon. The subject in the image isn’t a vehicle but of a sea lion, the pinniped providing the obvious clue that a Sealion-badged model is heading our way.
The question is of course, which Sealion? Given that BYD Malaysia has indicated that it is planning to introduce plug-in hybrid models in the country, the initial thought would be that the Sealion 6 is the said candidate. After all, the 6, which is a rebadged Seal U, is already on sale in Thailand.
However, the PHEV isn’t going to enjoy the tax breaks a full-electric gets, and in what is quickly shaping up to be a price competitive environment, the tack should be to deploy a model that will be able to take full advantage of the rebates, meaning that the incoming model is likely to be the all-electric Sealion 7.
Measuring in at 4,830 mm long, 1,925 mm wide, 1,620 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,930 mm, the electric crossover – known as the Sea Lion 07 in its domestic market – is a direct competitor to the Tesla Model Y. Motor power outputs quoted for the model in other markets range from 228 hp (150 kW) to 308 hp (230 kW) and 523 hp (390 kW), the last two mirroring that seen on the Seal Premium Extended Range and Performance AWD respectively.
In Europe, where the Sealion 7 was recently launched, two battery specifications have been announced, with the larger of the two lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery specifications being a 91.3 kWh unit, of which 82.5 kWh is usable. The unit yields up to 550 km of range on the WLTP cycle, and charging the 82.5 kWh battery-equipped Sealion 7 at its maximum of 230 kW DC will get the unit from 30-80% in 25 minutes.
So, will it be the Sealion 7 that appears when the time comes, or by a long shot, the 6 DM-i PHEV? Given the indication provided by the teaser post, that question should be answered quite soon.
GALLERY: BYD Sealion 7
GALLERY: BYD Sea Lion 07 in China
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