BYD can finally offer a competitor to the best-selling product Tesla Model Y in Australia, but the brand has yet to give a timeline for when its new flagship electric SUV might arrive locally.
When asked by Car expert Does BYD’s lineup still have room for a larger electric SUV? Atto 3David Smitherman – CEO of BYD’s Australian distributor EVDirect – hinted at the Sea Lion 07 or an electric version of the Seal 6 (Seal U) is coming.
“I can’t really confirm because I’m not 100% sure about the timing,” Mr. Smitherman said.
“But I can assure you, it is definitely a plan, a product that I want to have on the market.”
BYD Sea Lion 07 is launched last year Guangzhou Auto Show, has a design very similar to the Ocean X concept car and the car has similar dimensions Seal sedan.
It went on sale in China this week and has been confirmed to be produced with right-hand drive, with a New Zealand launch to take place this year.
However, the electric Sealion 6 – sold elsewhere as the Seal U – is currently produced exclusively for the left-hand drive market, although a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version is available. launches in Australia today.
With the previous model’s launch in New Zealand for reference, it’s likely the Sea Lion 07 won’t arrive in Australia until 2025 at the earliest if it makes its local showroom debut.
The BYD Sealion 6 and Shark PHEV ute are understood to be the only models from the brand scheduled to launch in Australia this year.
BYD’s Australian distributor previously said it plans to launch at least two new models per year from this year, with the aim of becoming a top-five brand on local sales rankings by 2025.
While the Seal sedan arrived in Australia late last year as BYD’s most direct rival Tesla Model 3This brand does not yet have an SUV that can compete with the Model Y.
BYD Sea Lion 07 has a similar appearance to the Seal electric sedan in the front and rear light design, but has a larger SUV shape.
Measuring 4830 mm long, 1925 mm wide and 1620 mm high with a wheelbase of 2930 mm, it is 5 mm wider but 80 mm longer than the Tesla Model Y and larger than the Atto 3 in every aspect.
It is underpinned by the brand’s 3.0 EV electronics platform architecture, which is also found in the Seal sedan, with BYD Blade batteries – available in 71.8kWh and 80.64kWh capacities – integrated into its structure for greater rigidity and safety.
In China, three powertrains are offered: two rear-wheel drive models with outputs of 170kW and 230kW respectively, plus a top dual-motor Performance model with up to 390kW.
Driving range varies from 550km for the base rear-wheel drive and range-topping all-wheel drive to 610km for the mid-range, 230kW model – all tested on the mild CLTC cycle.
Prices in China range from 189,800 yuan ($39,000) to 239,800 yuan ($49,525), lower than the Tesla Model Y which starts at 249,900 yuan ($51,600), but more expensive than the 179,800 yuan price tag. yuan ($37,130) of the Seal sedan.
By comparison, the BYD Seal is priced from $49,888 before on-road costs in Australia, while the Tesla Model Y starts from $60,900 before on-road costs.
The BYD Sealion 6 PHEV has been launched with prices starting from $48,990 excluding on-road costs.
THAN: The BYD Sea Lion 07 crossover is another competitor to the Tesla Model Y
THAN: BYD’s right-hand drive SUV plan comes into focus
