BYD releases the new Seal – a mid-size EV to take on Tesla’s Model 3

BYD has revealed its latest electric vehicle – the BYD Seal – a mid-size sedan that offers affordable luxury and priced from below $50,000 plus on road costs.

The BYD Seal will sit in the same class as the Tesla Model 3 – but the BYD starting price will be almost $12,000 cheaper.

In fact, the BYD website and order page for its BYD Seal looks a lot like the Tesla website and order page.

The new BYD Seal has what BYD says is the world’s safest battery which integrates the cell to the body to make the Seal lighter and more efficient.

It has a 2,920mm wheelbase and can comfortably sit five adults.

BYD says the Seal will be available to Australian drivers as early as December.

The BYD Seal is available in three models – Dynamic, Premium and Performance.

The exterior styling is sleek design and aggressive stance and includes floating LED headlights and ripple lamps.

On the inside, users will find full connectivity including Bluetooth, wired CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite navigation and two wireless phone charging docks.

And everything can be controlled by the 15.6-inch infotainment touch screen which can be rotated to either landscape or portrait orientation.

The BYD Seal also has a silver-plated panoramic glass roof as well as heated and ventilated front seats, vehicle climate control air conditioning to ensure maximum comfort.

“This really is a significant moment in the Australian automotive industry. When I first founded EVDirect the objective was to bring the world’s best electric vehicle technology to Australia and do so in an affordable manner,” says Luke Todd, EVDirect CEO.

“I’m confident we have delivered. With the launch of the Seal from just $49,888 drive away.

“This truly is beyond what even I believed we could achieve.

“This now means that BYD has three of the highest quality electric vehicles on sale in Australia for under $50,000.

“This is many years ahead of where most pundits and automotive experts predicted the Australian EV market would be in and I’m very proud of BYD and our team to have been able to achieve this for the Australian public.”

BYD SEAL DYNAMIC – From $49,888

– Ultra-Safe BYD Blade Battery – 61.44 kWh

– Maximum Power – 150 kW

– Maximum Torque – 310 Nm

– Up to 510km range NEDC – 460km WLTP

– AC Charging 7kW

– DC Charging 110kW

– 18 inch Alloy rims

– 0-100km/h in 7.5s

– Rear-wheel drive

– Complimentary 1 Year Roadside Assistance included

BYD SEAL PREMIUM – From $58,798

– Ultra-Safe BYD Blade Battery – 82.56 kWh

– Maximum Power – 230 kW

– Maximum Torque – 360 Nm

– Up to 650km range NEDC – 570km WLTP

– AC Charging 7kW

– DC Charging 150kW

– Heads-up display

– Genuine leather-wrapped steering wheel and seats

– Premium 19 inch Alloy rims

– 0-100km/h in 5.9s

– Rear-wheel drive

– Complimentary 1 Year Roadside Assistance included

BYD SEAL PERFORMANCE – From $68,798

– Ultra-Safe BYD Blade Battery – 82.56 kWh

– 0-100km/h in 3.8s

– Maximum Power – 390 kW

– Maximum Torque – 670 Nm

– AC Charging 7kW

– DC Charging 150kW

– Heads-up display

– Genuine leather-wrapped steering wheel and seats

– Premium 19 inch Alloy rims

– Frequency Selective Dampening (FSD)

– Intelligence Torque Adaption Control (ITAC)

– AWD dual motor system

– Up to 580km range NEDC – 520km WLTP

– Complimentary 1 Year Roadside Assistance included