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BYD challenges Tesla with its new electric SUV, the Seal U

BYD song plus EV

At the Munich Motor Show, BYDpresented its latest electric SUVthe Seal U. With its daring design and cutting-edge features, it is positioned as a serious competitor to the popular Model Y from Tesla. A electric car that will appeal to eco-friendly drivers.

Also read → BYD: the Chinese brand ready to conquer Europe

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Seal U: The secret of its remarkable performance

The Seal U draws inspiration for its exterior design from the ocean. Its fluid shapes, clean lines and LED lights give it a sophisticated yet contemporary look. Take, for example the vehicle's dolphin-like front end.

The finishes are equally meticulous, demonstrating the attention to detail that really sets this vehicle apart. Inside, the attention to finish is equally striking. There's a 15.6-inch central screen dominating the dashboard, and nautical-inspired digital instruments.

The Seal U was officially unveiled at the Munich Motor Show in September. It is the sixth BYD model for the European market. On the performance side, the BYD is equipped with a 160 kW engine, available with two battery options (71.8 kWh or 87 kWh). It also offers generous interior space and a boot capacity of 570 liters.

Seal U Tesla Model Y
Length
4,785 mm
4,751 mm
Width
1,890 mm
1,921 mm
Height
1,680 mm
1,624 mm
Wheelbase
2,765 mm
2,890 mm
Box
570 l
854 l
Number of seats
5
5

It can therefore be considered a highly functional family vehicle. Another interesting aspect of the Seal U is the V2L (Vehicle to Load) option, which enables external devices to be powered from the vehicle's battery.

What kind of performance can you count on with Seal U?

With a WLTP range of 420 km or 500 kmthe Seal U is well placed to compete with other market players, such as the BMW iX3the MG Marvel R and the Skoda Enyaq iV. Pricing is expected to be in the region of €50,000, but BYD is reportedly considering a starting price of less than a starting price of less than €47,000 in order to benefit from environmental bonus.

Seal U 71.8 kWh Seal U 87 kWh Tesla Model Y
Power
160 kW / 218 hp
160 kW / 218 hp
202 kW / 275 hp
Couple
330 Nm
330 Nm
493 Nm
Battery
71.8 kWh
87 kWh
60 kWh
Autonomy (WLTP)
420 km
500 km
455 km
Max. load (DC)
140 kW
140 kW
250 kW
0-100 km/h
9.6 sec
9.3 sec
6.9 sec
Maximum speed
175 km/h
175 km/h
217 km/h
BYD Song Plus EV side

BYD vs Tesla: the clash of the giants

Electric car manufacturer BYD has decided to launch a new vehicle, called the "Seal", to target its American competitor, Tesla. With its more upscale, classy design, it will be positioned as a rival to the Model 3 from Tesla.

The brand's ambitions are clear: to position itself as a a major player in the clean car market landscapemarket, currently dominated by Elon Musk's company.

Seal available in two versions

BYD's latest model will be presented to the general public at the Beijing Motor Show, which is a must-attend event for all automakers. 

Future vehicle buyers will be able to choose between two transmission variants: 

  • a version equipped with a 230 kW motor,
  • an all-wheel drive version with a 160 kW front engine.

Electric cars will boast between 204 and 313 hpoffering options for different needs and performance preferences. BYD's ambitions are not limited to China, as the manufacturer has plans to make the Seal available in Europe as early as 2023.

Seal U: the near-perfect electric SUV?

However, the Seal U is not without its faults. One of the may be its driving dynamicswhich has been criticized for not being on a par with its competitors. This is attributed to the use of a platform that is considered slightly outdated. Despite this potential drawback, the Seal U nevertheless seems to have a promising future.

European consumers are becoming increasingly eco-conscious, and BYD's competitive electric car offering could well be an effective strategy for capturing this market. Its competitive competitive pricingin particular, could be a major asset in attracting these consumers.

However, it is still too early to determine whether BYD will succeed in Tesla's hegemony in the electric SUV market with its new market with its new Seal U model. The competitive landscape is difficult and full of uncertainties. For BYD, the key question is whether the Seal U will be able to meet consumer expectations and compete effectively with Tesla. Only time will tell!

BYD Seal U rear
BYD Seal U interior
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