BYD Seal U electric SUV launches in Germany next month

30 January 2024

Chinese EV manufacturer BYD is ready to launch its latest creation, the Seal U, in the European market this February. The Seal U is an electric SUV and a sibling to the Seal electric sedan that made its debut last year. While Germany is home to giants like Volkswagen and now Tesla, BYD is boldly stepping into the ring with its Seal U.

The BYD Seal U, where 'U' stands for "Utility," offers a spacious ride for five passengers. Its dimensions measure 188.4 inches x 74.4 inches x 65.7 inches, with a wheelbase of 108.9 inches. In Europe, prospective buyers can choose between two equipment lines – Comfort and Design. The base Comfort version comes with a price tag of $45,060, while the premium Design line starts at $48,280.

The Seal U comes with two battery options – a 71.8 kWh version providing a WLTP range of 261 miles and an 87 kWh version offering an impressive 311 miles range. Both variants use BYD's cutting-edge 'blade batteries' with LFP cell chemistry in an 800-volt configuration.

While the sedan Seal focuses on delivering a sporty driving experience, the Seal U prioritizes versatility, and comfort, and offers plenty of room. It comes with a single permanent magnet synchronous motor generating 160 kW and 243 lb-ft of torque and powering the front axle only. It can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in a rather leisurely 9.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 109 mph.

The charging setup features a three-phase 11 kW on-board charger for AC charging and a DC fast charging function with 115 kW (Comfort) or 140 kW (Design) charging power as standard. Charging from 30 to 80 percent takes approximately 27 minutes in the latter case. Additionally, the Seal U supports V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) technology, allowing it to provide power to external devices.

Practicality, not speed, is the name of the game when it comes to Seal U. It offers a generous trunk volume of 19.5 ft³, expandable to 50.9 ft³ with the rear seats folded down. It also features wireless charging for mobile phones and four USB ports, to keep even the rear passengers happy.

Deliveries of the BYD Seal U in Europe are set to begin this February, and customers will have the choice of six paint colors and two interior color schemes. The vehicle comes with a manufacturer's warranty of six years or up to 93,200 miles. BYD guarantees 70 percent of the battery capacity for up to eight years or a mileage of 124,000 miles and provides an eight-year warranty on the electric motor.

Via