Chinese manufacturer BYD is readying to launch its first plug-in hybrid vehicle in the form of the new Seal U SUV.
BYD - aka ‘Build Your Dreams’ - is a relatively new kid on the leasing block which has, so far, treated us to fully-electric vehicles with the Atto 3, Dolphin and Seal saloon.
This Seal U - or ‘Seal U DM-i’ to give it its full name - is something different, however, as it gets an efficient plug-in hybrid powertrain, a range of up to 78 miles using electricity alone, and very decent amounts of power and pace.
And as a rival to cars like the Ford Kuga PHEV and Kia Sportage PHEV, the Seal U could take some beating.
BYD says the Seal U’s ‘Super DM’ (or ‘Dual Mode’) system is a ‘game-changing’ evolution of the electric tech it has already pioneered.
When the battery is fully charged and switched to EV mode you run on pure electric, and when the charge gets low the Seal U automatically becomes a hybrid.
When order books open in the coming days - and pricing has yet to be announced - the Seal U will be available in three distinct trims, Design, Comfort and Boost.
The all-wheel drive Design Seal U combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine, a cobalt-free 18.3 kWh ‘Blade’ battery and two electric motors - one on the front axle, one on the rear - to produce generous power of 324 PS and 550 Nm of torque.
The Design is also the one you want if you want performance, as it’ll accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 5.9 seconds, making it ‘much faster than similar fuel vehicles’, says BYD. It also gets 43 miles of electric range.
The front-wheel drive Boost model gets the same 18.3 kWh battery but less power, at 218 PS.
Meanwhile the front-wheel drive Comfort variant enjoys a larger 26.6 kWh battery which unlocks the maximum 78 miles of EV range. You’ll have to wait a little while longer for that Comfort Seal U, though, as it’ll only become available later in the year.
With 18 kW DC charging capabilities, the Seal U can take its battery from 30-80 percent full in 35 minutes. And the battery also supports V2L (Vehicle-to-Load), which lets you use the car as a portable power supply.
Style-wise, the Seal U adopts the same rounded, X-shaped front end as its sleeker Seal saloon sibling, with U-shaped headlights that fit seamlessly into the bonnet.
The cabin ‘exudes a premium atmosphere’, according to BYD, with wrap-around ambient lighting, two large digital screens, heated and ventilated front seats, an abundance of vegan leather upholstery, and a crystal gearshift knob.
The boot weighs-in at 425 litres and expands to 1,440 litres with the rear seats folded flat.
And BYD also reckons the Seal U is one of the safest SUVs in its class, with standard-issue driver assistance systems including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane change assist.
Lease prices will be announced shortly with UK deliveries to begin in the autumn of 2024.
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