Launched: BYD Seal – 2 Variants, Up To 650 KM Range, From RM179,800

The BYD Seal has officially landed in Malaysia! Two variants are available - RWD Premium and Performance AWD.

The wait is finally over as BYD Sime Darby Motors officially launched the highly anticipated new BYD Seal EV four-door saloon earlier today at the swanky new TRX mall in the heart of the Kuala Lumpur city centre.

Present during the launch were Minister of Investment, Trade & Industry (MITI) YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Zafrul Aziz, BYD Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division GM Liu Xueliang, and Sime Darby Berhad Group CEO Datuk Jeffri Salim Davidson.

The BYD Seal sees BYD SD Motors' range growing to three models in total. It now joined alongside the popular Atto 3 crossover and Dolphin hatch.

Unlike neighbouring Thailand and Singapore, the BYD Seal for Malaysia sees just two variants available – RWD Premium and Performance AWD.

Besides e-motor count and performance figures, both variants are easily set apart too thanks to variant-specific paintjob options, namely the Aurora White hue for the RWD Premium and Artic Blue for the AWD Performance. These come on top of two shared option available for all models – Cosmic Black and Atlantic Grey.

Underpinning BYD's e-platform 3.0 cell-to-body (CTB) architecture, both variants share the same 82.5 kWh battery packs. What differs are the e-motor count and, subsequently, performance and range figures.

The RWD Premium boasts the longest range with its claimed 650 KM (NEDC) figure, whilst the Performance AWD is the quickest with its 530 HP and 670 NM outputs plus its 0-100 KM/H sprint time of 3.8 seconds.

Underpinning BYD’s innovative e-platform 3.0, the Seal is the brand’s first to feature a cell-to-body (CTB) architecture. This sees the marque’s famed ‘Blade’ battery pack seamlessly integrated into the chassis structure, promising increased stability and safety under diverse conditions.

Both variants share the same 82.5 kWh battery capacity, which is can be recharged via 7 kW AC or up to 150 kW DC inputs. As for range, the RWD Premium boasts the highest of the two with its claimed NEDC figure of 650 KM – 70 KM more than the AWD Performance guise’s claim of 580 KM (NEDC).

In terms of pep, the RWD Premium sees its rear-mounted e-motor driving its rear wheels with respectable outputs of 312 HP and 360 NM. This, in turn, sees equally respectable speed too as it despatches the century sprint in a claimed 5.9 seconds.

Aptly, the range-topping AWD Performance stands peppiest as its dual e-motor and all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup outputs 530 HP and 670 NM. In turn, it enables this range-topping variant to despatch 0-100 KM/H in a sportscar-rivalling rate of 3.8 seconds.

On board, the level of kit and amenities primed across both variants are similar and largely mirror what's seen in the Atto 3. Higlights include the rotating infotainment display, a myriad of ADAS features enabling Level 2 semi-autonomous driving abilities, and more.

Much like its smaller-sized Atto 3 and Dolphin stablemates, the BYD Seal is poised to woo prospects through its abundantly rich list of feature and amenities. Highlights include intelligent all-LED forward and rear lighting, stylish 19-inch wheels, 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment with navigation function, Dynaudio premium audio system, panoramic glass roof, voice command, and more.

Also similar to the Atto 3  and Dolphin is the arsenal of Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) features primed in the Seal, altogether promising Level 2 semi-autonomous driving abilities. This, by the way, comes on top of nine airbags, hi-res 360-degree parking camera view, as well as a trick iTAC (intelligent Torque Adaptation Control) system.

Not only attractive, these prices also see the BYD Seal dodge the High Value Goods Tax (HVGT), which would've raised prices by 5% to 10%.

On top of the attractive prices, BYD SD Motors also includes a comprehensive after-sales coverage, whilst early-birds (first 800 customers) benefit with a free wallbox home charger and RM800 free charging credits (Gentari or ChargEV).

Following today’s glitzy launch, the BYD Seal is now open for orders through authorised BYD dealers nationwide priced from RM179,800 for the RWD Premium variant, and from RM199,800 for the Performance AWD variant.

Included in both prices is BYD’s standard 6-year or 150,000 KM base vehicle warranty, 8-year or 160,000 KM EV battery warranty, and an 8-year or 150,000 KM drive unit warranty. Specifically for the Seal, BYD is also offering new Standard and Plus service packages that includes tyre alignment, balancing, and rotation in both.

In conjunction with its launch, BYD Sime Darby Motors is rewarding the first 800 customers purchasing the BYD Seal with a free wallbox charger plus RM800 worth of free charging credits on either Gentari or  ChargEV.

What do you folks reckon then? Would you fancy this stylishly sleek but affordably-priced Chinese fighter over things like the Hyundai Ioniq 6, BMW i4, Mercedes-Benz EQE or the Tesla Model 3? As always, share your thoughts in the comments below, as well as our social media pages…