2024 has been a busy year for new car releases from BYD, and the pace seems to be showing no signs of abating. On August 8, BYD will launch both the EV and DM-i versions of the Seal 07.
Although the EV and DM-i versions of the Seal 07 share the same name and similar styling, it is currently unclear how closely they are related. Visually, they are easy to tell apart, thanks to the EV version’s closed front and the DM-i version’s 5-slat grille.
The Seal 07 DM-i has dimensions of 4980, 1890, and 1495 mm and a wheelbase of 2900 mm. When filed with MIIT, there were three individual listings for the car, each with a different weight of 1795 kg, 1900 kg, and 1960 kg, respectively.
The car can be seen as a replacement for the car currently known as the Seal DM-i, and the 07 DM-i will come with BYD’s new DM 5.0 technology. It is the first car with this technology to veer away from being reliant on the naturally aspirated 1.5-liter engine, which delivers 74 kW of power. Although this engine is offered on low-spec versions, higher-spec versions base the PHEV system around a 1.5T engine with 115 kW of power. There are also two electric motor options of 160KW and 200KW respectively.
As yet, we do not have any news about the battery capacities or what the powertrain means in terms of range or fuel economy. However, given the larger size of the car and the more powerful engine and motor offered, we can expect range and fuel economy to be worse than in the Seal 06 DM-i, which was one of the two cars that launched BYD’s fifth-generation PHEV system.
The EV version of the Seal 07 is understood to be an update to the original BYD Seal, which was fully electric. Changes outwardly seem minimal, and the dimensions (see specs) remain unchanged at 4800, 1875, and 1460 mm (l/w/h), and the wheelbase is 2920 mm. As with the existing Seal there are both single and dual-motor versions. For the single-motor version, buyers have a choice between 170 kW and 230 kW electric motors. Dual-motor versions use the rear-mounted 230 kW motor and add a 160 kW motor to the front axle. Top speed is 225 km/h.
Battery capacities are believed to be 61.44 kWh and 80.64 kWh, respectively, in the single-motor version, providing CLTC ranges of 510 km and 650 km. Range for the dual motor is 600 km. The batteries are lithium iron phosphate blade batteries, and the Seal 07 utilizes cell-to-body technology.
Underneath the Seal 07 EV is the new e-platform 3.0 Evo which has 800V architecture giving improved charging efficiency and the car will support 240 kW fast charging. The e-platform 3.0 Evo debuted in May with the Sea Lion 07. Highlights include a 12-in-1 electric drive system.
Spy shots of the BYD Seal 07 EV’s interior show that it has a simpler style than the current car and that it is similar to that seen in the Sea Lion 07 EV.
Both the DM-i and EV versions of the car are expected to have a Lidar option. This should considerably increase driver assistance capability.
Sources: Autohome, Mountains talk about cars
