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BYD to launch its Seal electric sedan in India in 2024, booking is open
BYD’s upcoming product for the Indian market, the Seal sedan has been spotted near Chennai. Sources indicate that the Seal sedan will be available for sale in early March 2024, although dealers have already started unofficially accepting bookings. The Seal EV sedan made its debut in India at the Auto Expo 2023.
BYD Seal: Design
Its design features include a coupe-like all-glass roof, flush-fitting door handles, four boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights, a split headlamp design, and a full-width LED light bar at the rear. Inside, the BYD Seal boasts a rotating 15.6-inch infotainment display similar to the Atto 3 SUV and e6 MPV. The driver benefits from a separate 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display.
The central AC vents surround the floating touchscreen, with the drive selector and a scroll wheel for drive modes placed directly below. The centre console includes controls for functions like the heated windscreen, audio system volume, and two wireless charging pads. Gloss black inserts adorn the interior, complemented by contrasting dashboard shades and speakers integrated into the door handles, reminiscent of the Atto 3 SUV.
BYD Seal Electric Sedan: Battery, Charging & Dimensions
Globally, the Seal offers two battery options: a 61.4kWh unit providing up to 500km of CLTC range and an 82.5kWh unit with up to 700km of range. Both batteries feature blade technology, and while the smaller one supports charging rates of up to 110kW, the larger one can charge at speeds of up to 150kW.
The Seal sedan measures 4,800mm in length, 1,875mm in width, and 1,460mm in height. It draws design inspiration from the Ocean X concept introduced in 2021 and adheres to BYD’s “ocean aesthetics” design philosophy. Continuing the ocean-themed nomenclature of BYD’s EV range, the Seal joins models like the Dolphin available in select international markets.
Specifications
The Seal comes with two powertrain options: a single-motor and dual-motor setup. While the single-motor can be paired with both batteries, the dual-motor is exclusive to the larger battery. Indian models are expected to feature the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration, generating a combined output of 530hp and achieving a claimed 0-100kph time of 3.8 seconds, making it more powerful than the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.
BYD Seal: Price & India Launch
Although BYD dealers have initiated unofficial bookings for the Seal, deliveries will commence after prices are announced. It is anticipated to have a starting price of around Rs 50 lakh. The Seal will be BYD’s third passenger vehicle offering in India, following the Atto 3 SUV and the e6 MPV, primarily targeting the fleet market. With its stylish design, the Seal will compete against rivals like the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5.
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In the final quarter of last year, BYD Auto sold 526,409 EVs, surpassing Tesla’s sales of 484,507 units. However, BYD’s yearly EV sales stood at approximately 1.6 million units, slightly behind Tesla’s 1.8 million units. BYD also achieved a year-on-year growth of 73 percent.
Tesla has been engaging with the Indian government for several years to establish a presence in the country. In contrast, BYD entered the Indian market in 2021 and already has two models on sale. While Tesla’s potential entry into India remains uncertain, the manufacturer has proposed a minimum investment of USD 2 billion (approximately Rs 16,665 crore) for a manufacturing plant, pending government approval. Although there were talks of Tesla’s India entry at last month’s Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, no official announcement was made.
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