The Seal DM-i is another attractive option for the mainstream mid- to high-end plug-in hybrid market in China, with the official prices reduced by RMB 10,000 from pre-sale.
(Image credit: BYD)
BYD (OTCMKTS: BYDDY) has officially launched the Seal DM-i in China, offering yet another option in the mainstream mid- to high-end plug-in hybrid market.
The new energy vehicle (NEV) maker officially launched the Seal DM-i at an event this evening, with a starting price range of RMB 166,800 ($22,830) to RMB 236,800, RMB 10,000 lower than the price range in pre-sale during the Chengdu auto show at the end of last month.
The Seal DM-i is a new addition to the Seal family, and the plug-in hybrid first debuted on April 18, the first day of the Shanghai auto show, but at the time it was called the Chaser 07.
BYD renamed the Chaser 07 the Seal DM-i on July 14, seemingly hoping to capitalize on the Seal's greater popularity.
Originally launched in China on July 29, 2022, the BYD Seal is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) that is seen as one of the strongest rivals to the Tesla Model 3 in China.
BYD is offering six versions of the Seal DM-i with starting prices of RMB 166,800, RMB 176,800, RMB 186,800, RMB 196,800, RMB 206,800, and RMB 236,800, all of which have been reduced by RMB 10,000 compared to when pre-sales began on August 25.
The Seal DM-i is a B+ sedan with a length, width and height of 4,980 millimeters, 1,890 millimeters and 1,495 millimeters, respectively, and a wheelbase of 2,900 millimeters.
The model's engines include two options, 1.5L and 1.5T, which deliver peak power of 81 kW and 102 kW and maximum torque of 135 Nm and 231 Nm, respectively.
It comes with a front electric motor that is available in two options -- 145 kW and 160 kW, both with a maximum torque of 325 Nm.
With this powertrain, the three cheaper variants of the Seal DM-i can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 8.2 seconds, and 7.9 seconds for its three pricier variants.
The five cheaper versions of the Seal DM-i are powered by a blade battery with a capacity of 17.6 kWh, which delivers an NEDC battery range of 121 kilometers. Its highest-priced version is powered by a 30.7 kWh pack with a battery range of 200 kilometers.
The first Seal DM-i production cars rolled off the production line at BYD's manufacturing base in Zhengzhou, Henan province in central China, on July 19, a local Henan Daily reported in July.
BYD's Zhengzhou base has a planned capacity of hundreds of thousands of NEVs per year, and the Seal DM-i is expected to have a monthly capacity of up to 30,000 when it goes into production, the report said, citing a BYD executive.
BYD delivered a record 274,386 NEVs in August, with Seal contributing 5,700 units, up 230.24 percent year-on-year and up 0.88 percent from July, according to data released by the company earlier this month.
($1 = RMB 7.3060)
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