BYD New Zealand has confirmed its third model after the Atto 3 SUV and Dolphin hatch: the Seal, a coupe-style sedan that is aimed directly at the Tesla Model 3.
The entry Seal Dynamic has a 61kWh battery, 150kW/310Nm single electric motor, rear-drive configuration, 460km WLTP range and 0-100km/h in 7.5sec: it'll be priced at $62,990 when it goes on sale in NZ early-2024.
Tesla is not so keen on talking battery sizes or power, but its entry Model 3 is RWD, with a 513km range (also WLTP) and does 0-100km/h in 6.1sec. Better numbers than the BYD, but the car is also more expensive at $67,900.
BYD will also offer a Seal Premium RWD at $72,990, with a larger 83kWh battery, 230kW/360km, 570km range and 0-100km/h in 5.6sec.
The flagship Seal Performance (pictured) is $83,990 and boasts a twin-motor AWD setup with the same 83kWh battery, 390kW/670Nm, 520km range and 0-100km/h in an arresting 3.8sec. We had a quick drive of the Performance earlier this year: check it out here.
It's also the only Seal that can be ordered in Shark Grey (an extra $3000). The other Seal colours are white (no charge) and Atlantis Grey, Cosmos Black and Artic Blue (all $1595).
“We are fizzing about the imminent arrival of the BYD Seal,” says Warren Willmot, BYD Auto NZ’s general manager. “The interest and demand for the Seal since its public reveal at Fieldays earlier this year has been huge, and to be able to finally announce competitive pricing and specifications for NZ is exciting.”
Other features include a head-up display, suspension upgrades to include Frequency Selective Dampening (FSD) and Intelligent Torque Adaption Control (ITAC).