BYD, the world's leading manufacturer of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), introduces the all-electric BYD SEAL - which belongs to the D-Class - and with it an exciting new EV option that adopts a host of innovative technologies.
BYD, the world's fastest growing automaker, is committed to making attractive, high-tech and intelligent electric mobility more affordable and accessible to European drivers.
The stunning BYD SEAL is a sporty and dynamic D-Class sedan, the second in the BYD Ocean model series, which uses BYD's new "Ocean Aesthetics" design identity. It combines a sleek and sporty appearance with a high level of comfort and practicality for five passengers, a wide range of equipment items and dimensions that perfectly suit the needs of European buyers. In addition to this, the BYD SEAL has several technological firsts, so it benefits from countless advantages that clearly differentiate it from the competition.
Advanced Cell-to-Body technology
The BYD SEAL is based on BYD's state-of-the-art e-Platform 3.0 platform, which is designed exclusively for pure electric vehicles. BYD's advanced Cell-to-Body (CTB) technology makes the difference over the competition and ensures top levels of safety, torsional rigidity, dynamic driving and space utilization.
In Cell-to-Body technology, the battery is part of the vehicle structure. Essentially, the top cover of the battery array is part of the body floor. This creates a "sandwich" type arrangement that incorporates the top cover, the Blade Battery and the base on which it rests. In addition, the CTB architecture uses a high-strength aluminum cellular structure, further enhancing the safety of the vehicle.
The CTB battery system serves as a power source, while also acting as a structural element, contributing to the BYD SEAL's high torsional stiffness ratios of 40,500 Nm/mm. Thanks to this, the dynamic driving characteristics of the vehicle are improved while ensuring an excellent platform that offers comfort, low noise levels, safety and high performance.
In addition, CTB technology optimises the use of space, as the battery is an integral part of the body, lowering the floor height by around 15 mm. As a consequence, the available height inside the vehicle is increased, improving space. This allowed the BYD SEAL designers to adopt a lower and sleeker silhouette, with improved aerodynamic performance as well as more space in the passenger cabin.
BYD's revolutionary Blade Battery
Like all BYD passenger cars available in Europe, the BYD SEAL comes standard with the "Blade Battery", which is revolutionary in many ways. BYD is a pioneer in the technology of
batteries for over two decades. With more than six million New Energy Vehicles (BEV+PHEV) delivered to customers, BYD has established itself as a market leader in this sector. The revolutionary Blade Battery is the fruit of BYD's relentless research and development and is considered a major development for the EV industry.
The Blade Battery was developed by BYD with the primary goal of optimizing safety, durability, longevity, performance and space utilization. The battery consists of 172 thin elongated blade-like cells. In addition, the Blade Battery uses Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) as the cathode material, which offers a higher level of safety and durability compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries.
LFP batteries are 100% free of cobalt, a material that raises ethical and environmental concerns in the mining industry. In addition, LFP batteries are more resistant to temperature extremes and can withstand more charge and discharge cycles with virtually no loss in capacity. This makes them particularly durable. With a height of just 110 mm for the entire battery pack, the Blade Battery also helps to make better use of interior space.
In addition to all the advantages of Cell-to-Body technology, the Blade Battery's exceptional level of safety is demonstrated by exceeding the requirements of the rigorous Nail Penetration Test. This is the most rigorous method of testing the thermal loss of the battery and simulates the consequences of a serious car accident.
The independent organisation EuroNCAP has subjected the SEAL to all the prescribed crash tests and has given it a maximum rating of 5 stars.
The BYD SEAL is offered as standard with a high-efficiency heat pump system, which enables efficient temperature regulation of the battery through direct cooling and direct heating of the coolant, as well as low-energy temperature control of the passenger cabin. The heat pump can also absorb waste heat from the electric drive system and can withstand temperatures from -30°C to 60°C. BYD's battery technology also supports V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) operation, allowing the BYD SEAL to be used as a portable power supply for charging devices (total power up to 3,000 W).
With two- or four-wheel drive and up to 530 hp
The progressive nature of BYD and SEAL doesn't stop at Cell-to-Body technology and Blade Battery. For example, the sports sedan uses the innovative "8-in-1" electric drivetrain. This integrates eight key components for propulsion, charging, energy control and management, allowing BYD to optimize space utilization and energy efficiency of the whole.
Available in two versions, Design and Excellence, the all-new BYD SEAL is offered with two powertrain options - both with an 82.5 kWh battery capacity. The Design version with an electric motor and rear-wheel drive has a power output of 230 kW (313 PS) and accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds. The range is 570 km (combined WLTP cycle). The BYD SEAL is also available with four-wheel drive (Excellence-AWD) with electric motors on the front and rear axles (160 kW + 230 kW), with a combined power output of 390 kW (530 PS). The powerful Excellence version accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds, while range is set at 520 km (combined WLTP cycle).
The owner of a SEAL benefits from a powerful high-voltage battery charging system. This innovative technology takes advantage of the electric motor that essentially replaces the voltage booster, so charging is done in the 420-750V voltage range to remain compatible with high-power DC fast chargers. During the charging process, BYD SEAL reduces heat generation of the charging and distribution system for more reliable performance.
The BYD SEAL offers an integrated 11 kW three-phase charger for AC charging as standard and can be quickly charged in a 150 kW DC charging station. With this power, charging from the 30% to the 80% is achieved in just 26 minutes.
Dynamic road behaviour
Sporty, sporty and dynamic, yet smart and equipped with high-tech DNA, SEAL has everything to impress the driver. Its state-of-the-art architecture, based on e-Platform 3.0 with Cell-to-Body technology, guarantees unprecedented torsional rigidity and a low center of gravity, which benefits the dynamic driving characteristics of the BYD SEAL. In addition, the SEAL is the first BYD with an independent suspension, with double wishbone front and five-link rear suspension, which also contributes to excellent handling and full control of the vehicle.
The Excellence-AWD version has shock absorbers with variable damping depending on the frequency of vibration for excellent response. When the road surface is smooth, the damping is relatively high, allowing for better vehicle handling and extremely dynamic driving characteristics. When potholes or uneven surfaces are present, damping is automatically reduced for better vibration absorption, ensuring a high-quality driving experience.
In addition, the Excellence-AWD version benefits from the newly developed Intelligent Torque Adaption Control (iTAC) system. This system differs from the hitherto familiar technology, which only acts by reducing the power delivery in order to ensure the dynamic stability of the vehicle. Instead, iTAC focuses on modulation of the torque distribution to ensure stability. In this way, the vehicle's dynamics are fully exploited at the power level, while improving safety and extending the vehicle's control limits.
BYD SEAL offers three different drivers:
- ECO mode: prioritises energy efficiency and extends autonomy.
- Normal mode: offers a balanced driving experience for everyday use.
- Sport mode: emphasises performance through more dynamic acceleration and enhanced driving characteristics.
Design identity Ocean Aesthetics
The BYD SEAL adopts the Ocean Aesthetics design language, which gives it a dynamic, elegant and highly distinctive look.
Created by a design team led by BYD's Global Design Director Wolfgang Egger, the BYD SEAL's lines demonstrate power and sporty temperament with a drag coefficient of just 0.219 Cd. The lowered body seems to rip through the wind like a razor blade. Its elegant, nature-inspired design is bursting with emotion, and combined with its high-tech features, it's eye-catching. The front of the car has a strong sense of forward motion, with a distinctive dynamic "X" shaped perspective. The front end of the BYD SEAL has the look and feel of a sports car, with its full, sculpted curves providing the feel of the momentum of sea waves.
The SEAL's side silhouette adopts gentle lines, distinguished by a low front end, a sloping A-pillar, a rounded roof and a fastback tail interrupted by a slightly inverted ducktail rear configuration that evokes the characteristics of a sports coupe. The BYD SEAL's hidden door handles, which do not protrude from the door when the vehicle is in motion, help air flow at high speed, reducing aerodynamic drag and overall energy consumption.
Spacious interior with excellent ergonomics
In addition to its dynamic, smart and sporty character, the BYD SEAL is also a versatile four-door sedan that comfortably seats five passengers. The 2,920 mm wheelbase provides passengers with legroom similar to that of an executive saloon. Due to the CTB architecture and compact battery layout, passengers have plenty of headroom despite the car's low overall roof height.
Practicality is further reflected in the 400-litre luggage compartment and an additional 53-litre frunk under the front bonnet. In addition, the BYD SEAL offers more than 20 storage spaces for small items inside. There is a wireless charging point for two mobile phones in the centre console, while an additional storage space is created directly underneath.
The front seats have a sporty look and hug the body, offering excellent support. The driver's seat is electrically adjustable in eight directions, and all users, regardless of body type, can find a comfortable position thanks to the adjustable steering wheel (both in height and in distance from the driver's chest). The driver's seat also features four-way electrically adjustable lumbar support. The rear seats provide comfortable space for three adult passengers. Their upholstery, as well as their backrest angle (in relation to the seat), is ergonomically designed and fully optimised for relaxing long journeys.
The large panoramic sunroof fills the passenger cabin with plenty of light. The front doors are double-coated with glass for excellent sound and heat insulation, while the rear doors feature dark crystal, providing improved shading and protecting rear passengers from prying eyes.
Multimedia system with 15.6" screen and wide range of ADAS
Smart connectivity and a state-of-the-art infotainment system are some other key features of the BYD SEAL. The vehicle is equipped with an advanced 4G connectivity system that offers top-of-the-line technological experiences and Over The Air (OTA) updates to upgrade the infotainment system functions. The highlight of the interior is of course the 15.6-inch rotating display in the center of the dashboard, equipped with intelligent voice control functionality and offering seamless smartphone integration via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
In front of the driver is a 10.25-inch digital display, while the impressive 12-speaker Dynaudio Performance Audio System delivers top-quality sound.
In terms of safety and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), the BYD SEAL includes a wide range of standard equipment, including Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Rear Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Brake, Lane Keep Assistance, Lane Change Assist and Emergency Lane Keep. There is also Adaptive Cruise Control and Intelligent Cruise Control, a 360-degree Panoramic Camera, Blind Spot Detection System, Hill Start Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Information and Intelligent Speed Limit Control. Cutting-edge lighting technology provides a wider LED beam for better visibility when driving at night, with High Beam Assist, Adaptive Headlight Beam and Follow Me Home.
Price from 45.990 € and 6 years warranty
The model range consists of two engine - transmission versions (RWD - 313 PS & AWD - 530 PS), two trim levels (Design and Excellence-AWD), six body colours and two interior colours. The Design version is priced at €45,990, while the Excellence-AWD is priced at €48,990 (prices quoted do not include any benefit from government schemes). A free 3-year service is offered for orders until the end of 2024. The SEAL comes with a 6-year basic warranty (or 150,000 km), an 8-year electric motor warranty (or 150,000 km) and an 8-year battery warranty (or 200,000 km).
