BYD has added two plug-in hybrid passenger vehicles to its Australian range with the launch of the Seal 6 Sedan and Seal 6 Touring.
The Seal 6 DM-i Sedan Essential is priced from $34,990 before on-road costs, while the Seal 6 DM-i Touring Premium starts at $39,990 before on-road costs.
Both models use BYD’s DM-i 5.0 plug-in hybrid system, which combines a 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine, an electric motor and a lithium iron phosphate Blade Battery. Drive is sent to the front wheels.
The system is designed to use the electric motor for most driving, with the petrol engine operating as a generator or helping to drive the wheels when required.
Three operating modes are managed automatically. EV mode uses battery power only, series hybrid mode uses the petrol engine to generate electricity, and parallel hybrid mode allows the engine and electric motor to drive the vehicle together.
Two battery sizes
The Seal 6 Sedan Essential has a 10kWh battery and a combined system output of 130kW. BYD lists an electric-only range of 55km under the WLTP test cycle.
The Seal 6 Touring Premium uses a larger 19kWh battery, increasing electric range to a claimed 100km and combined output to 163kW.
Quoted fuel consumption is 1.1L/100km for the Sedan and 0.8L/100km for the Touring under the NEDC test cycle, measured with a minimum battery state of charge of 25 per cent.
These figures are based on laboratory testing and may not reflect everyday fuel use. Results will depend on factors including how regularly the vehicle is charged, driving conditions, traffic, temperature, vehicle load and use of heating or air conditioning.
BYD says both models have travelled more than 1,000km during Australian road testing using a fully charged battery and one 65-litre tank of fuel.
Sedan and wagon body styles
Both versions measure 4,840mm long and 1,875mm wide, with a 2,790mm wheelbase. The Sedan is 1,495mm high, while the Touring is 1,505mm high.
The Sedan has a claimed drag coefficient of 0.255 and provides 491 litres of luggage capacity. Folding the rear seats increases capacity to 1,370 litres.
The Touring has a claimed drag coefficient of 0.284 and offers 670 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,535 litres with the rear seats folded. It also includes roof rails and a power-operated tailgate.
Both models use MacPherson-strut front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension arrangement.
Technology and safety
Standard interior equipment includes an 8.8-inch digital instrument display, a 12.8-inch central touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto.
The Touring Premium adds heated and ventilated synthetic leather front seats, power adjustment for both front occupants, driver-seat memory and a panoramic sunroof.
Driver-assistance equipment includes adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, forward-collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot detection and lane-departure assistance.
Child-presence detection can alert the driver through the vehicle and a connected mobile application. BYD says the system can also activate the climate control when a child is detected inside the vehicle.
Seven airbags are standard, including front, side, curtain and centre airbags.
The Seal 6 is covered by a six-year/150,000km vehicle warranty. The traction battery warranty runs for eight years or 160,000km, while the electric drive unit is covered for eight years or 150,000km.
The addition of the Seal 6 gives BYD an entry in the shrinking Australian sedan and wagon segments, while expanding its plug-in hybrid range beyond SUVs and the Shark 6 utility.
