BYD has confirmed that it will launch the Seal U in India by the end of 2026. It will become the brand’s first plug-in hybrid model in the country and debut its DM-i hybrid technology. The Chinese carmaker, which so far has a purely electric line-up in the country, is betting on plug-in hybrids to offer EV-like driving for daily use while retaining the convenience of a petrol engine. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming Seal U.
What is the BYD Seal U?
The Seal U is a five-seat SUV that is sold in international markets as both an EV and a plug-in hybrid. In some markets, it is also known as the Sealion 6. The SUV has already been showcased in India and will be the first model here to use BYD’s proprietary DM-i plug-in hybrid powertrain.
What is BYD’s DM-i hybrid technology?
BYD's DM-i Super Plug-in Hybrid EV system combines a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, two electric motors and an 18.3kWh battery pack. Unlike most strong hybrids, which use relatively small batteries and can only travel short distances on electric power alone, the DM-i system is designed to operate as an EV for a much larger portion of everyday driving.
In regular conditions, the electric motors primarily drive the vehicle, while the petrol engine mainly acts as a generator to keep the battery charged. The engine directly powers the wheels only under higher loads. The system can automatically switch between EV, series-hybrid and parallel-hybrid operation without any driver input.
Compared to most strong hybrids, the larger battery pack also allows the Seal U to cover significantly longer distances on electric power alone. Unlike a conventional hybrid, the battery can be charged externally, allowing the vehicle to function much like an EV for shorter daily commutes.
What is the claimed range for the BYD Seal U?
BYD claims its DM-i hybrid powertrain can deliver a combined range of over 1,200km. The company also says the vehicle can be driven in pure EV mode for up to 200km when the battery is fully charged. For the international-spec Seal U, BYD quotes an electric-only range of up to 126km, although specifications for the India-bound model are expected to differ.
What powertrain does the international-spec Seal U get?
Internationally, the Seal U DM-i is offered in two configurations. The front-wheel-drive version combines a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with a single electric motor to produce a combined 218hp and 300Nm. The all-wheel-drive Design variant adds a rear electric motor, increasing total output to 323hp and 550Nm. The latter can accelerate from a standstill to 100kph in 5.9 seconds.
Both versions use BYD’s Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology, which is also used in the company’s EVs. The battery has a capacity of 18.3kWh and supports both AC and DC charging. In Europe, BYD quotes a DC charging time of around 35 minutes for a 30-80 percent recharge.
What features will the BYD Seal U get?
The Seal U shares much of its design language with the Sealion 7 sold in India, although it uses a conventional grille to feed air to the petrol engine. International models get BYD’s signature 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging, powered, heated and ventilated front seats, an Infinity premium audio system and vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality that allows the vehicle’s battery to power external electrical devices.
The SUV also comes with a comprehensive ADAS suite that includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert and a 360-degree camera. The exact equipment list for the India-spec model is yet to be confirmed.
What are the dimensions of the BYD Seal U?
The Seal U is 4,775mm long, 1,890mm wide and 1,670mm high, while its wheelbase is 2,765mm. This makes it similar in size to the Mahindra XEV 9e. Its boot capacity is 425 litres, which expands to 1,440 litres with the rear seats folded.
When will the BYD Seal U launch in India?
BYD has confirmed that the Seal U will arrive in India by the end of 2026. It will be the first model in the company’s India line-up to use a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
What will be the price of the BYD Seal U in India?
The Seal U is expected to be priced between Rs 45 lakh and Rs 50 lakh (ex-showroom). This pricing would position it as a rival to the upcoming Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid SUV.
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