Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD officially introduced the 2024 Seal electric sedan in Mexico last week, marking its second model offering in the Mexican market following the Dolphin’s launch last September.
However, it is already the fifth model to join the brand’s North American lineup of Dolphin, Han, Tang, and Yuan Plus.
Design
The BYD Seal has a more stylish design compared to the Tesla Model 3, as noted by NewsBytes. It adopted the brand’s visionary design principles with the following features:
- sculpted bonnet
- bumper-mounted multi-element DRLs
- sweptback projector LED headlamps
- a sloping roofline
- wrap-around LED taillamps
- designer dual-tone wheels
- flush-fitted door handles for improved aerodynamic efficiency
Inside, the five-seater sedan offers the following technologies:
- a rotating 15.6″ infotainment panel with connectivity options
- dual-tone dashboard
- a connected-type design for the air vents
- multi-zone climate control
- illuminated switches
- a panoramic glass roof
Technical details
The BYD Seal currently offers two variants, including the rear-wheel drive (RWD) and the all-wheel drive (AWD).
The RWD variant features a 150 kW rear motor that generates a peak torque of 310 Nm. It has a 61.44 kWh LFP Blade battery that enables a maximum WLTP-estimated driving range of 460 km (286 miles). It can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds.
Meanwhile, the AWD variant offers a combined output of 390 kW (160 kW + 230 kW) and a peak torque of 670 Nm. It has an 82.56 kWh LFP Blade battery that enables an estimated range of 520 km (323 miles), Electrek reported.
Pricing (BYD Seal vs. Tesla Model 3)
CarNewsChina.com reported that the BYD Seal RWD costs 778,800 pesos (44,800 USD), while the AWD variant is more expensive at 888,800 pesos (52,000 USD).
For comparison, the Tesla Model 3 AWD starts at 985,900 pesos ($56,500). Meanwhile, its Performance variant costs 1,154,900 pesos ($66,100).
Launching the Seal in the North American market is a crucial part of BYD’s efforts to beat Tesla in the global electric vehicle industry. According to the report, the Musk-led company delivered 435,059 units in Q3 2023. On the other hand, BYD only delivered 431,603 EVs globally, short of just almost 3,500 units, to beat the American EV pioneer.
