BYD shows off new Seal 06 GT electric hot hatch ahead of launch

Jet Sanchez
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BYD's upcoming hot hatch looks a lot like the Seal sedan.

BYD's upcoming hot hatch looks a lot like the Seal sedan.

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD has unveiled the production-ready Seal 06 GT, a scaled-back version of the striking Ocean-M concept that debuted earlier this year.

The Seal 06 GT retains the concept's overall silhouette but loses some of its aggressive styling elements, such as the prominent rear wing and bold aero enhancements.

Seal DNA

BYD Seal 06 GT New Zealand

Positioned between the smaller Dolphin hatch and larger Seal sedan, the Seal 06 GT measures 4630mm in length, making it larger than the MG4 (4287mm) and GWM Ora (4235mm) hatchbacks.

While BYD hasn't officially released full specifications, the Seal 06 GT is expected to share its powertrains with the Seal sedan, offering both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive options.

BYD Seal 06 GT New Zealand

Rumoured outputs are 160kW for the single-motor variant and a punchy 310kW for the dual-motor version.

The interior of the Seal 06 GT appears to borrow heavily from the Seal sedan, featuring a similar digital cockpit, steering wheel and switchgear. However, BYD has incorporated a unique dashboard and climate vent design to differentiate the hatchback from its stablemate.

Competitive pricing

BYD Seal 06 GT New Zealand

BYD is expected to launch the Seal 06 GT in China on August 30th, with prices ranging from ¥150,000 to ¥200,000 (approximately NZ$34,000 to NZ$45,000). For comparison, the Seal sedan starts at around ¥180,000 or NZ$40,700).

While the Seal 06 GT may not have the same visual impact as the Ocean-M concept, it's shaping up to be a compelling competitor in the growing electric hatchback segment, offering competitive pricing and a spacious interior.

BYD Seal 06 GT New Zealand

BYD has yet to confirm local availability, but the hot hatch seems primed for that opportunity. In any case, we'll know more about the new BYD Seal 06 GT in a few days.

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