BYD's Song Plus Champion Edition ventures into international waters as the Seal U

25 July 2023

Like a lost child in an amusement park, China's BYD has been playing musical chairs with their vehicle lineups. The Dynasty series, originally featuring vehicles christened after famed Chinese dynasties and the Ocean series, boasting marine-themed names like Dolphin, Seal, and Destroyer, are now intermingled in an intriguing game of auto-biodiversity.

One notable defector from the Dynasty to Ocean series is the Song Plus Champion Edition, a car named after a majestic Chinese dynasty. Rumored to be called "Frigate 05", the vehicle's final christening came as Song Plus Champion Edition.

Internationally, BYD continues this love affair with complex nomenclature. As it wades into overseas markets, the Song Plus Champion Edition will bear the identity of Seal U. Cue, the entrance of the rookery, joining the Seal EV and Seal DM-i.

Say goodbye to Song hieroglyphs from the domestic version of the Song Plus Champion Edition, paving an uncomplicated path for the Seal U's international variant. This all-electric chariot flaunts a closed grille, acute triangular headlights, a sloping bonnet line, and a singular tail light unit. Swathed in Azure Blue in the photos here, this impressive model measures 188.4 inches / 74.4 inches / 65.4 inches with a wheelbase of 108.9 inches. The international Seal U, showcasing a mature, all-black interior, stands out from its domestic counterpart's Gray-Blue color scheme.

Riding on the same BYD's e-platform 3.0, two powertrain options are available. One comes with a 71 kWh LFP battery for a 323 miles range, powering a 204 hp electric motor. Its slightly more powerful sibling brandishes a larger 87 kWh LFP battery pack, offering 376 miles of range, paired with a 218 hp electric motor. Other bells and whistles include a DiLink system and two-zone climate control.

The Seal U's is scheduled for an official debut at the Munich Motor Show this September. The international market can expect the first units to hit the streets in late 2023 or early 2024.

BYD's Seal U may bear a new name in unfamiliar waters, but it carries the same promise - good value. The pricing should be attractive, and with BYD building its international presence with an extensive network of showrooms and service points, the Seal U has the potential to disrupt the establishment. Only time will tell how this all-electric SUV from China fares in the international arena.

Via