BYD will unveil its CTB (cell to body) battery technology on May 20, and the Seal is expected to be the first model to use the technology.
BYD's (OTCMKTS: BYDDY, HKG: 1211) much-anticipated Seal model is getting closer to its official launch, with its pre-sale set to begin later this week.
The BYD Seal will open for pre-sale on May 20, according to information shared by the largest Chinese maker of new energy vehicles (NEVs) on Weibo on Sunday.
The company did not provide more information, but the Weibo post came with a video showing all-around details of the model's interior.
BYD has warmed up the model several times in the past two months, releasing images of its exterior as well as its interior.
The company recently shared information that it will unveil its CTB (cell to body) battery technology on May 20.
BYD did not specify, but given that the technology was announced at the same launch as the pre-sale of the Seal model, it may mean that the Seal will be the first model to use the technology.
The Seal model, built on BYD's e-platform 3.0, is seen as one of the strongest challengers to the Tesla Model 3 in China.
Information released by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology last month showed that the BYD Seal has a length, width and height of 4,800 mm, 1,875 mm and 1,460 mm, and a wheelbase of 2,920 mm.
For comparison, the China-made Tesla Model 3 has a length, width and height of 4,694 mm, 1,850 mm and 1,443 mm, respectively, and a wheelbase of 2,875 mm.
The Model 3 is currently offered in two versions in China, with the entry version priced at RMB 279,900 ($41,200) with an expected delivery date of 20-24 weeks and the Performance version priced at RMB 367,900 with an expected delivery date of 16-20 weeks.
Previous reports suggested that the BYD Seal could have a pre-sale price range of RMB 220,000 ($33,570) - RMB 280,000, significantly lower than the Tesla Model 3.
The BYD Seal will be available in three range versions, with its standard range model equipped with a 150kW rear electric motor and a maximum combined range of 550km. Its long-range version is equipped with a 230kW rear electric motor and a maximum combined range of 700km.
The top-of-the-line 4WD version has a total front and rear motor power of 390kW, a maximum range of 650km and an acceleration time of 3.8 seconds from 0-100km/h.
BYD's warm-up over the past two months has attracted the interest of many people, including analysts, in the Seal model.
In terms of power, energy consumption and size specifications, the BYD Seal has significant advantages over the Tesla Model 3, according to the team of analysts led by Xu Huixiong at local brokerage Essence Securities, in an April 28 research note.
Seal is expected to be the most important model in BYD's history, the team said, adding that with reference to Model 3 sales, they expect the model's steady-state monthly sales to exceed 30,000 units.
