Peter Lyon
January 20, 2024
Customers interested in BYD’s best-looking and most appealing electric vehicle yet—the new Seal—will be glad to hear that bookings are now open in Malaysia. Orders can be placed online at the official BYD Malaysia website.
Three versions will be available here and they include the “Dynamic,” “Premium,” and “Performance” specs. Potential buyers should be reminded that there is an RM1,000 booking fee for The Seal.
The new sleek BYD is expected to compete with models like the Tesla Model 3 and the upcoming Ora 07/Lightning Cat. That means we can expect it will undercut the Model 3’s price, which starts at RM189,000.
The entry-level Dynamic variant has a single 203 hp electric motor with 310 Nm of torque powering the rear wheels. BYD’s signature 61.4 kWh LFP blade battery pack provides power, translating to 460 km of electric driving range (WLTP). In the real world however, expect around 400km.
The Premium model, which is a single-motor RWD variant, is a step up and develops 313 hp and 360 Nm—figures that are marginally higher due to the larger and more potent 82.5 kWh battery pack. More range is another benefit of the larger battery with BYD claiming a range of 570 km (WLTP) on a single charge—although expect more like 500.
The Performance version, which has a dual-motor AWD setup, is the most expensive model of the lineup, boasting 530 hp and 670 Nm that delivers 520 km (WLTP) of range.
The same 7 kW single-phase on-board AC charger is used by all three versions. The Dynamic Standard Range requires 8.6 hours to fully charge, while the other two higher-end models need 15.2 hours. The Premium and Performance specs also get a higher DC charging capacity at up to 150 kW, allowing a 10-80% charge in 37 minutes.
OUR THOUGHTS
When the beautifully proportioned Seal arrives in showrooms, we feel it will give Tesla a real run for its money. BYD’s charging network might not be quite up to Tesla’s spec, but the car’s looks, quality, performance, and handling should be on par with the Model 3. The Seal is currently accepting reservations in Malaysia and the Ora 07 is scheduled to launch there shortly.
