BYD could be looking to expand the Seal range in Australia, with a plug-in hybrid model spotted locally, as a potential companion to the current Seal EV.
The BYD Seal EV could soon have a plug-in hybrid alternative sold alongside it in Australian showrooms.
Despite the similar name, the BYD Seal 06 DM-i is a completely different car to the Seal EV, built on a dedicated plug-in hybrid platform.
A member of the BYD Seal Australia Facebook page has spotted the medium sedan undergoing testing in Australia.
The photos of the camouflage-wrapped Seal 06 provide a clear view of both the exterior and the unobscured interior.
The interior shows a floating centre console design, with wireless charge pads placed atop the console, pushing the gear selector up to the steering column.
BYD’s rotating 15.6-inch infotainment system can also be clearly seen, along with a row of buttons and roller dials for hybrid mode controls, drive modes, and audio system volume.
Although not confirmed for arrival by BYD Australia, the Seal 06 is about to start full-scale right-hand drive production, and will join BYD’s line-up in the UK.
The Seal 06 DM-i sedan is one of a growing range of ‘Seal’ models in BYD’s range overseas, which includes the electric Seal already sold in Australia, plus PHEV Seal 06 sedan, Seal 06 wagon, and Seal 06 GT hatchback.
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BYD also builds an all-electric Seal 06, sold alongside the Seal, a smaller Seal 05 PHEV sedan, a larger Seal 07 sedan, and uses the Seal U name on the PHEV SUV sold in Australia as the Sealion 6.
The Seal 06 PHEV is sold in China with a 74kW 1.5-litre petrol engine and either a 120kW or 160kW electric motor and front-wheel drive.
The less powerful version is equipped with a 10-kilowatt-hour battery giving it a rated electric range of 60km (tested to WLTC standards).
The 160kW version is paired with a 15.9kWh battery, extending the electric-only driving range to 90km.
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Pricing in China spans from 99,800 yuan ($AU21,290) to 139,800 yuan ($AU29,825), making the top-spec Seal 06 PHEV around 34 per cent cheaper than the cheapest Seal EV in its home market.
While that Chinese market pricing difference is unlikely to be reflected in Australia (which would result in a potential $30,990 price point) the Seal 06 would more likely be positioned below the Seal EV, in the same way the Sealion 6 PHEV and Sealion 7 EV sit just over $10,000 apart on price.
Compared to the Seal EV sold in Australia, the Seal 06 sedan is 30mm longer nose-to-tail, but rides on a 130mm shorter wheelbase.
Based on more lenient CLTC consumption testing used in China, BYD claims the long-range version of the Seal 06 can cover up to 2100km on a full tank and full charge.
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