BYD Seal 07 second generation: a bigger electric sedan that somehow got cheaper

BYD launched the second generation of its Seal 07 sedan in China on Thursday, 5 November. The surprising part is the timing: the previous electric version only arrived on 5 March, so the generational change comes roughly eight months later. The new Seal 07 is bigger, goes further on a charge and, unusually for the car industry, starts at a lower price than the model it replaces.

Five versions, two powertrains

The range has five trims. Two are DM-i plug-in hybrids, officially priced at 139,900 and 149,900 yuan, and three are fully electric, at 149,900, 159,900 and 172,900 yuan. Buyers trading in an old car get another 4,000 yuan off each price, bringing the entry point down to 135,900 yuan. According to "CnEVPost", the electric version's starting price is 20,000 yuan, or about 12%, below the March model.

Launch offers for cars invoiced by 30 November include a lifetime warranty on the battery, motor and power electronics for the first private owner, plus a year of free fast charging on BYD's network for the electric version, as reported by "Ifeng Auto".

Longer and roomier

The new sedan now passes the five-metre mark: 5,080 mm long, 1,960 mm wide and 1,495 mm tall, on a 2,960 mm wheelbase. Compared with the outgoing car it is 85 mm longer, and the wheelbase grows by 60 mm, extra room that mostly benefits rear passengers. The electric version offers a 618-litre boot plus a 160-litre front trunk. The hybrid makes do with 595 litres.

The styling follows the newest design language of BYD's "Ocean" range, with a closed front end, slim headlights and a coupe-like roofline.

What the electric version gets

All three electric trims share the same setup: one rear-mounted motor with 245 kW (329 hp) and 365 Nm, fed by a 76.7 kWh second-generation Blade battery. Range on China's CLTC cycle is quoted at 775 km, 70 km more than the March model. It reaches 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds, a full second quicker than before, and tops out at 240 km/h. A heat pump is standard.

The car supports BYD's "flash charging" technology. The company claims 10 to 70% in about five minutes and 10 to 97% in around nine minutes in normal temperatures. These are manufacturer figures that only apply at BYD's dedicated chargers in China, not at regular public stations.

The hybrid: far more electric driving

For the DM-i, the big gain is electric range. Its 38 kWh battery delivers 330 km on the CLTC cycle, 100 km more than the best version of the previous generation. A 1.5-litre turbo engine with 115 kW works with a 160 kW front electric motor, and 0 to 100 km/h takes 7.7 seconds.

Where BYD saved money

The lower price comes with a catch. The entry trims, both electric and hybrid, only get conventional cruise control, without the "God's Eye C" highway assistance system. That is standard only on the pricier trims, while the lidar-based "God's Eye B" package, which adds city driving assistance, stays optional. On the outgoing hybrid, advanced assistance was standard on several trims. As for the chassis, only the top electric trim gets the "DiSus-M" magnetorheological damping system.

Why BYD is in a hurry

The context explains the rush. The Seal family, which includes the Seal 07, sold 46,834 cars in China in October, nearly 20% fewer than a year earlier. Over the first ten months the decline is close to 15%. Competition among large electric sedans in China is brutal, and BYD is answering with its usual recipe: more car for less money.

What it means for drivers

The Seal 07 is not sold in Europe, and BYD has not announced plans to bring it here. European buyers currently get the Seal sedan and other "Ocean" models instead. Still, the launch shows where things are heading: next-generation Blade batteries, very fast charging and longer range at falling prices. Such technology usually reaches European models too, just later. For anyone buying an EV now, it is another sign that the market moves quickly and that end-of-year offers are worth comparing carefully.