BYD has revealed yet another offering in its range of hybrids overseas, the Seal 05 DM-i.
A Toyota Corolla-sized sedan sporting the Chinese giant’s signature plug-in tech, the Seal 05 uses a similar design language to other recently-launched BYD models, including the Sealion 07, complete with the curvy aquatic shape and bar-style tail lights.
The latest version of BYD’s plug-in hybrid system deployed in the Seal 05 consists of a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 74kW aided by a 120kW electric motor.
Two battery sizes are available in China: one 7.7kWh unit providing 43km of electric driving range (according to the CLTC cycle) and one 15.9kWh unit providing 90km of electric driving range. According to the brand the combined range of the latter unit is up to 2000km.
The interior design offers similar hardware to the Atto 3 SUV, with a similar steering wheel, centre screen and digital instrument cluster, although the Seal 05 features a centre console area and shifter similar to that used in the slightly larger Seal EV. A range of 16- and 17-inch alloys are available, as well as a sunroof depending on grade.
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The Seal 05 is the smallest in a range of hybrid BYD sedans available in China, most aren’t yet available in Australia, including the Seal 06 (essentially a hybrid version of the Seal EV sold here), and Seal 07 which is larger still (but confusingly sits below the brand’s flagship Han sedan as part of its ‘Dynasty’ series). With prices ranging from as low as the equivalent of $20,173 to $24,666. Even with the usual 15 - 20 per cent premium added in Australia over Chinese domestic pricing, the Seal 05 could be the most affordable plug-in option should it be offered locally.
However, it seems BYD will have its hands full in the short term, rolling out its Shark 6 ute and looking to launch its Denza luxury sub-brand in Australia, which is almost certain to include an export-market version of the FangChengBao 5 as a Toyota Prado-rivalling off-road SUV that uses similar plug-in hybrid hardware to the Shark 6 ute. A left-hand drive example has been spotted testing in Australia recently, and BYD has trademarked the name ‘Denza B5’ for use here during the course of 2024.
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Additionally, Denza opens up the opportunity for BYD to add a people mover to its range in the form of the Denza D9 to take the fight to the Zeekr 009, Xpeng X9, and the grey-imported Toyota Alphard as part of an emerging luxury transport battleground.
Elsewhere, BYD looks to go even more ambitious with a move upmarket, with the Denza N7, a grand-tourer style car with a 640kW plug-in hybrid drivetrain, or even further with the YangWang U8 SUV.
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At the brand’s established price-point, it seems an SUV offering would be preferable to a sedan, with the ‘Atto 2’ or ‘Atto 3 Up’ as the trademark exists in Australia also on the cards.
This small model was revealed in right-hand drive form for the UK market in 2024 and could make an all-electric Yaris-Cross-sized rival to the MG ZS EV or Hyundai’s upcoming Inster city crossover.