BYD, the world’s leading manufacturer of new energy vehicles (NEVs), introduces the new all-electric BYD SEAL D-segment sedan to European consumers at the IAA bringing an exciting new EV option, that combines an exceptional depth of groundbreaking technology. BYD, the fastest growing automaker worldwide, is committed to make appealing, high-tech and intelligent electric driving more affordable and accessible to European motorists. After the successful launch of the BYD HAN (E-segment sedan), the BYD TANG (E-segment SUV), the BYD ATTO 3 (C-segment SUV) and BYD DOLPHIN (C-segment hatchback) on the European continent, BYD further accelerates its presence in the European car market with the launch of the much-anticipated all-new BYD SEAL.
The striking BYD SEAL is a sporty and dynamic D-segment sedan, the second in the BYD Ocean series, using BYD’s new ‘Ocean Aesthetics’ design language. It combines a sleek and athletic appearance with a high level of comfort and practicality for five occupants, an outstanding range of equipment, and dimensions that perfectly match the needs of European car buyers. Beyond that, the BYD SEAL features several technological firsts, resulting in countless benefits clearly distinguishing it from its competitors.
Advanced Cell-to-Body technology
Like the BYD ATTO 3 and the recently launched BYD DOLPHIN, the new BYD SEAL is based on BYD’s state-of-the-art e-Platform 3.0, which is designed exclusively for pure-electric vehicles. Notably, the BYD SEAL is the first vehicle to implement BYD’s highly advanced Cell-to-Body (CTB) technology, which is an essential difference and ensures unprecedented levels of safety, torsional rigidity, driving dynamics and space utilisation.
Cell-to-Body means the battery is incorporated within the entire vehicle structure. It integrates the battery pack’s top cover with the traditional body floor structure. This forms a sandwich-like structure incorporating the top cover, the Blade Battery and the tray. In addition, the CTB architecture uses a high-strength honeycomb-like aluminium panel structure, further enhancing vehicle safety.
The CTB battery system serves as a source of energy, as well as a structural component. It contributes to the BYD SEAL’s exceptional torsional stiffness of a massive 40,500 Nm/degree, increasing handling limits and offering an excellent platform for comfort, cabin quietness, safety and performance. Furthermore, CTB technology also improves space utilisation as the battery is combined directly with the body, lowering the vehicle to the floor by about 15 mm. While reducing the body height, the CTB technology increases the axial height inside the vehicle, creating interior space. This has enabled the BYD SEAL to adopt a lower, sleek shape, with improved aerodynamic performance and striking visual impact, as well as more cabin space.
Revolutionary BYD Blade Battery
Like all BYD passenger cars offered in Europe, the BYD SEAL is equipped as standard with a Blade Battery, which is revolutionary in several respects. BYD has been pioneering battery technology for over two decades. 28 years on, with over five million new energy vehicles (BEV+PHEV) produced for customers, BYD is firmly established as a market leader in this field. Its revolutionary Blade Battery is born out of BYD’s relentless research and development, and considered as a major advancement for the EV industry.
The Blade Battery was developed in-house by BYD with the primary goal of optimising safety, durability, longevity, performance and space utilisation. The battery pack consists of 172 thin elongated cells that actually resemble blades. In addition, the Blade Battery uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) as a cathode material, which offers a higher level of safety and durability compared with conventional lithium-ion batteries.
LFP batteries are 100% free of cobalt, a material that raises ethical and environmental concerns in the mining industry. In addition, LFP batteries are more resistant to extreme temperatures. They have better thermal stability and are less sensitive to temperature fluctuations, while they can withstand more charge and discharge cycles with hardly any loss of capacity. This makes these batteries particularly durable. With a height of only 110 mm for the entire battery pack, the Blade Battery also contributes to the efficient vehicle packaging and optimised interior space of the BYD SEAL.
In addition to all the benefits of the Cell-to-Body technology, the exceptional safety level of the Blade Battery is demonstrated (video) by exceeding the requirements of the punishing Nail Penetration Test. This is the most rigorous method to test battery thermal runaway and simulates the consequences of a serious road accident.
Furthermore, the BYD SEAL is offered as standard with a high-efficiency heat pump system. This allows for efficient regulation of the battery temperature via direct cooling and direct heating of the refrigerant, as well as control of the passenger compartment temperature with low energy consumption. The heat pump can also absorb waste heat from the electric powertrain, while it can withstand temperatures ranging from -30°C to 60°C. BYD’s battery technology also supports V2L (Vehicle-to-Load), allowing the BYD SEAL to be used as a portable power supply for electrical devices (total output up to 3,000 W).
Range and performance
The progressive nature of BYD and the BYD SEAL goes beyond the Cell-to-Body technology and Blade Battery. For example, the new sports sedan uses the innovative 8-in-1 electric drivetrain. This integrates eight key components for propulsion, charging, control and management, enabling BYD to create exceptional opportunities for vertical integration within the supply chain, while significantly optimising space utilisation and energy efficiency.
Available in two trims, Design and Excellence-AWD, the all-new BYD SEAL will be offered with a choice of two drivetrains, both with a battery capacity of 82.5 kWh. The ‘Design’ single-motor version with rear-wheel drive (BYD SEAL Design) has a power output of 230 kW (313 PS) and accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds. The range is set at 570 kilometres (WLTP combined). The BYD SEAL is also available with four-wheel drive (BYD SEAL Excellence-AWD) with an electric motor on the front and rear axles (160 kW + 230 kW), resulting in a total power output of 390 kW (530 PS). This, the Excellence-AWD version, is a real powerhouse that accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds, while the range is set at 520 kilometres (WLTP combined).
Customers of the BYD SEAL benefit from a high-voltage electric drive boost charging solution, which allows for faster charging. This technology innovatively uses the motor inductor to replace the boost inductor in the original boost solution, to meet the 420-750V voltage range of charging piles with high-power DC charging. During the charging process, the BYD SEAL reduces the heat generation of the charging and distribution assembly for more reliable performance.
The BYD SEAL offers an 11 kW 3-phase on-board charger for AC charging as standard, and can be fast charged at a DC ultra fast-charging station with 150 kW. With this amount of power, the battery can be charged from 30% to 80% in just 26 minutes.
Ocean Aesthetics design language
After the recently launched BYD DOLPHIN, the new BYD SEAL is the second European model in BYD Ocean series to adopt the Ocean Aesthetics design language, giving it a dynamic, stylish and highly distinctive appearance.
The BYD SEAL has been created by a design team led by BYD’s Global Design Director, Wolfgang Egger, and demonstrates power and athleticism with a drag coefficient of just 0.219 Cd. The low-to-the-ground body style slices like a razor blade through the wind. Its sleek nature-inspired design is emotionally rich, high-tech and appealing. The car’s front end has a powerful sense of forward motion, with an ‘X-face styling’ in the dynamic perspective. The front of the BYD SEAL has the look and feel of a sports car, with its full, sculpted, captivating curves providing the sense of the momentum of waves.
The SEAL’s side silhouette is smooth and natural, with a low front, sloping A-pillar, rounded roof, sloping fastback punctuated by a subtly upturned ducktail shape, which emphasises the characteristic of a sports coupe. The concealed door handle design, which is flush with the door when the vehicle is in motion, helps to enable airflow to pass at high speed, thereby reducing wind resistance and overall vehicle energy consumption.
Delivery of the BYD SEAL to Dealers from Q4 2023
The first dealer deliveries of the BYD SEAL will be in O4 2023 with end-user customer deliveries from November. The model line-up consists of two powertrain variants and two trim levels. BYD SEAL Design £44,990 MSRP and BYD SEAL Excellence-AWD £47,990 MSRP. Six body colours are available along with two interior trim colours. Full specification will be released as part of the UK launch in early Q4.
All versions of BYD SEAL are offered with excellent warranty conditions as standard, consisting of a six-year manufacturer’s warranty and eight years for the battery and electric motor.
*Article Source https://www.byd.com/uk
