BYD continues its rapid expansion in the European market with the launch of the all-electric SUV Seal 7, officially unveiling it at MONDIAL DE L'AUTO 2024. This vehicle is seen as a competitor to the Tesla Model Y, already available in China, with deliveries set to commence this month in Europe.
Seal 7 represents the eighth model in BYD's European lineup of New Energy Vehicles (NEV), joining models like Dolphin, Seal, and the Ocean series. It was first introduced in China last November, adhering to BYD's established design language. The front light design shares similarities with the Seal U, complemented by sporty air intakes. The rear features a sloping roofline that flows into full-width LED taillights, reminiscent of the Seal sedan.
The Seal 7 is built on the e-Platform 3.0 Evo, compatible with single and dual motor configurations. In Europe, BYD will initially offer a high-performance version with dual motors. According to the company, the electric vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and supports fast charging up to 230 kW. While no power figures for the European market have been announced yet, the dual-motor version in China provides a combined output of 523 horsepower and a range of 550 km from an 82.56 kWh BYD Blade battery.
Michael Shu, BYD's European managing director, stated at the car's unveiling in Paris: “Our customers have shown great interest in high-performance SUVs. Therefore, today, the car officially comes to Europe.” This SUV is part of a larger BYD European offensive, with plans to introduce six new models over the next 14 months.
The vehicle will be delivered in the UK by the end of October, with prices starting at around $58,807. This places it in direct competition with the Tesla Model Y, which ranges from $58,806 to $78,413 in the UK. In the future, the vehicle will be manufactured in a new BYD facility in Hungary, avoiding the tariffs imposed by the EU on Chinese imports. The facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2025, likely becoming the production center for most of BYD's European vehicles.
Adrian is an Editor. Psychology graduate with over 4 years in the automotive industry, 3 in front of the camera. Occasionally seen at his family owned tyre shop. He will only buy cars that pass the big bottle test.
