BYD's Electric Sedan 'Seal' Set to Make Waves in India with Competitive Pricing and Impressive

BYD has introduced its Seal electric sedan in Thailand with an enticing starting price, ranging from 1.325 million Baht to 1.599 million Baht for the base Dynamic RWD variant and the top-spec Performance AWD variant, respectively. Translated to Indian currency, this translates to approximately Rs. 30 lakh to Rs. 36 lakh, making it a compelling offering considering its range, performance, features, and size. The possibility of its launch in India is high.

In India, BYD already showcases the BYD Seal sedan on its official website, although it hasn't been officially launched in the country, and pricing details remain undisclosed. The hope is that Indian pricing aligns closely with the Thai pricing, where BYD garnered 1,104 bookings within an hour.

The BYD Seal electric sedan measures 4800 mm in length, 1875 mm in width, 1460 mm in height, with a 2920 mm long wheelbase. It shares its e-Platform 3.0 platform with the Atto 3 and Dolphin models, with the battery cells serving as structural components. The base Dynamic RWD variant features a 61.4 kWh battery and a single 204 bhp electric motor powering the rear wheels, offering a range of 510 km on a single charge at a price of 1.325 million Baht (Rs. 30 lakh). The mid-spec Premium RWD boasts an 82.5 kWh battery, the longest range at 650 km, and a price of 1.449 million Baht (Rs. 32.7 lakh).

The top-of-the-line Performance AWD variant is the most potent Seal model, featuring a dual motor layout with AWD, 530 bhp, 670 Nm of combined torque, and a 0-100 km/h sprint in just 3.8 seconds. It shares the same 82.5 kWh battery as the Premium RWD variant but offers a slightly lower range at 580 km on a single charge. The exterior design takes cues from the Porsche Taycan, and the interior combines practicality with a high-tech appeal, featuring a dashboard reminiscent of the Lexus LS sedan and a noteworthy rotating instrument screen.

Due to varying taxation between nations, the BYD Seal's pricing varies considerably, costing just Rs. 4.5 lakh more than its Chinese prices but significantly more in Europe and Brazil. Primary rivals for the BYD Seal include the Kia EV6 GT AWD and BMW i4.