BYD has done it again and created even more confusion over its model lineup. Last month we brought you news of the Seal 07, or at least a car clearly showing a Seal 07 badge, and said it was the name of the refreshed original electric Seal. Now thanks to a government department we have detailed information about the Seal 07, except it is not the same car as the one previously spied!
The new car is actually a replacement for the current Seal DM-i and uses BYD’s fifth-generation DM-i system. And thanks to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) we know all about the new car. Dimensions are unchanged from the current Seal DM-i (see specs) meaning 4980, 1890 and 1495 mm (l/w/h) and a wheelbase of 2900 mm.
Where things start to get more interesting with the Seal 07 DM-i is with the powertrain. This uses the fifth-generation PHEV system from BYD which launched last month. This until now has been based around a BYD472QC 1.5 liter engine with 74 kW of power and 126 Nm of torque. While this is the setup used in the two lower weighted versions there is also a version using the BYD472ZQB 1.5 liter turbocharged engine which has maximum power of 115 kW. Quite how the new engine works in the DM-i fifth generernation system is unclear, however, for the original engine in the system key claims are 46.06% thermal efficiency, 2.9 l/100 km fuel consumption and 2,100 km range. But, the economy and range figures were for the system in the Qin L and Seal 06 DM-i cars. As these cars are both smaller and lighter – the lightest Qin L is 1660 kg – than the new car we can expect that the results in the Seal 07 DM-i will not be quite as good.
There are three individual MIIT filings for the BYD Seal 07 DM-i, a listing is essential for sales to begin in China. The lightest version weighs in at 1795 kg and the other two are 1900 and 1960 kg respectively. A TZ210XYC electric motor powers the lighter two versions and it has maximum power of 160 kW. There is also a version of the Seal 07 DM-i which uses a more powerful TZ210XYD electric motor which has up to 200 kW of power. Although there is no news yet on battery capacities we do know that the cars will come with BYD’s blade battery which uses lithium iron phosphate chemistry. Based on the differing weights, we can expect two different sized capacities with the larger one shared by the two heavier versions.
Buyers will be able to have the car with 17, 18 or 19-inch wheels. Top speed for the 160 kW motor version is 185 km/h while the 200 kW motor can manage 200 km/h.
From the options list we can see that some versions will get an opening panoramic roof and that there are some differences in the design of the front grille. Also, badge options show both Seal and Seal 07 and so it possible that the car will simply keep the existing Seal DM-i name rather than becoming the Seal 07 DM-i.
Prices for the current BYD Seal DM-i range from 149,800 to 219,800 yuan (20,650 – 30,300 USD) and the new car will likely have similar prices. The big question is that if this car really is the Seal 07 DM-i what does that make the all-electric Seal 07 previously spotted as the two cars have little relationship other than styling.
It’s a pity that BYD doesn’t export their DMi models to Asia. Would love to own one. The styling, the quality all look fresh from today’s messy cuts and lines design.
An update – depending on version the fuel consumption figures are 4.2, 4.4 and 4.7 l/100 km. The Seal 07 DM-i has a choice between 10.08 and 17.626 kWh battery packs which are meant to be good for all electric ranges of 55 and 100 km respectively.
Fuel consumption figures are WLTC. See https://carnewschina.com/2024/06/17/a-new-byd-han-spotted-in-china-with-lidar-and-dm-5-0-phev-system/