Sunday China Drive | BYD Seal 06 GT: Is it a hot hatch?

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The BYD Seal 06 GT, built on the e-Platform 3.0 Evo, is a mid-size electric hatchback focusing on blending performance, advanced technology, and practical design. Available in rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations, the car offers a range of powertrain and battery options, catering to diverse needs. Its dimensions—4,630 mm in length, 1,880 mm in width, and 1,490 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,820 mm—make it compact yet spacious enough for urban and suburban driving scenarios. Our test car is the AWD version.

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Exterior

The Seal 06 GT adopts a modern design language, starting with its low-profile front grille flanked by narrow LED headlights. The lower section features a honeycomb grille that supports active heat management. Its aerodynamic profile is complemented by a suspended roof design and flush door handles.

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The AWD version distinguishes itself with larger 19-inch wheels and red brake calipers, providing a sportier look than the 18-inch wheels of the RWD variant. At the rear, a wavy taillight design aligns with BYD’s Ocean series styling, while the BYD logo illuminateds.

Interior

The Seal 06 GT emphasizes functionality and user-friendly design. The minimalist dashboard includes the iconic BYD 15.6-inch rotatable central touchscreen and a 12-inch driver display. The infotainment system, powered by BYD’s DiLink platform, supports over-the-air updates and advanced voice control features. A 12-inch W-HUD (windshield head-up display) further enhances the driver-focused layout.

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The car has heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, and ambient lighting. The cabin materials, while practical, offer soft-touch finishes and clean design elements.

Storage

Storage includes a 380-liter rear trunk and a 45-liter frunk, providing adequate cargo space for a vehicle in this category.

Safety

The Seal 06 GT is equipped with BYD’s DiPilot 5 driver assistance system, which combines ultrasonic radars, millimeter-wave radars, and cameras to enable 16 safety features. These include forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, side distance warning, and parking assistance. A body made of 70% high-strength steel and the inclusion of 11 airbags support structural safety.

Powertrain and Performance

The AWD version combines a 110 kW (150 hp) front asynchronous motor and a 200 kW (268 hp) rear permanent magnet synchronous motor, achieving a 0–100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds. It uses a 72.96 kWh battery, offering a range of 550 km. The maximum speed is capped at 200 km/h, with the AWD benefiting from an intelligent torque adaptation control system (iTAC) for improved traction.

The vehicle also incorporates an 800V silicon carbide high-voltage platform, which enables fast charging. According to BYD, the system can recharge the battery from 30% to 80% in 20 minutes, adding convenience for long-distance travel.

Behind the wheel

The Seal 06 GT is designed to deliver a balanced driving experience. Thanks to its dual-motor setup, the AWD version offers enhanced stability and traction. The platform’s battery placement makes the low center of gravity possible, contributing to predictable handling and cornering. The multi-link rear suspension and active torque management enhance the car’s ability to handle various driving conditions easily.

Steering feedback is direct, and the system responds well during sharp turns, giving the driver confidence. While the suspension smooths out most road imperfections, some slight rear-end play is noticeable during aggressive cornering, suggesting room for improvement in damper stiffness for more precision.

The car’s four driving modes—Eco, Normal, Sport, and Snow—offer flexibility for various driving conditions. The combination of suspension tuning and steering precision balances comfort and sportiness, making the car suitable for daily commutes and spirited drives.

Verdict

The BYD Seal 06GT balances performance and practicality, offering a range of configurations to suit different needs. Its driving dynamics are responsive and engaging, and the vehicle provides advanced safety features and a thoughtfully designed cabin.

Unfortunately, the Seal 06 GT’s suspension could benefit from refinements for sharper handling, making the car not quite a hot hatch. It is also similar priced to the bigger and better packaged Mazda EZ-6 that we tested early, making the Seal 06GT a hard choice to recommend.

Stay tuned for next week’s Sunday China Drive at Car News China, where you can read more first-person evaluations of Chinese cars.

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