With BYD SEAL U, the Chinese manufacturer’s range expands, adding to the sedan version of the Seal also an SUV, which will inevitably compete with the Model Y, which was the best-selling car in Europe. The BYD Seal U is actually a D-segment SUV, so it is aimed at those looking for an electric vehicle of significant size, given its 4.78 meter length and 2.76 meter wheelbase.
The launch strategy of this D-SUV is curious: there are two versions: Comfort with a 71.8 kWh battery and Design with an 87 kWh battery. The engine, however, is the same: SEAL U has a power of 217 hp. and torque from 310 to 330 Nm depending on the version. So nothing extreme, especially considering the car has to carry more than 2 tons, but this choice could have interesting implications for the price reduction.
- Technical data sheet BYD SEAL U
- How are you? First road test
- Charging and consumption
- Prices, equipment and benefits
- video
BYD SEAL U TECHNICAL INFORMATION
- Motor: frontal synchronous permanent magnet motor.
- Power: 160 kW/217 hp and 310/330 Nm
- 0-100km/h: 9.3 s (Comfort), 9.6 s (Design)
- Maximum speed: 175 km/h
- Drums: 71.8 kWh (Comfort), 87 kWh (Design), both LFP “Blade Battery”
- Front suspension: MacPherson
- Rear suspension: independent, multi-link
- Turning radius: 5.5 meters
- Tires: 19 rub.
- Brakes: ventilated discs
- Empty weight: 2020–2147 kg
- Luggage compartment min/max: 552 – 1440 liters
- Franc (front trunk): no
- Length: 4785 mm
- Length: 1890 mm
- Height: 1668 mm
- Step: 2765 mm
- CD: 0.32
- Reboot: 11 kW AC, 115 kW DC (71.8 kWh battery) or 140 kW (87 kWh battery)
- Heat pump: yes, as standard
- Vehicle to load? yes, power 3 kW and standard
- Declared autonomy (WLTP): 420 km (Comfort) – 500 km (Design)
- Declared consumption (WLTP): 19.9 kWh/100 km (WLTP combined, Comfort) – 20.5 kWh/100 km (WLPT combined, Design)
The layout of the BYD SEAL U is clear from the start: it is a very spacious SUV with plenty of headroom for even the tallest passengers, who find space and comfort in both the front and rear. The balance between the wheelbase (2.76 meters) and boot (552 liters) is just right to provide a well-rounded experience compared to the usual Chinese “vice” of sacrificing cargo space to the need to create a huge living room. in the second row of seats.
With a length of 4.78 meters, which is certainly a lot and requires enough space to park the car, BYD SEAL U offers a division very close to European taste.
Handling, thanks in part to the decidedly crossover-like body that’s 2 inches taller than the Model Y, suffers when we push the car to its limits. There is only one engine, the choice is front-wheel drive (but 4×4 will also come if the platform allows), the suspension calibration is soft.
Excellent absorption, excellent acoustic comfort, mediocre chassis response in tight corners and on mixed terrain where body roll is present. In some situations I have even felt this myself as a driver, and usually the driver perceives it to a lesser extent than the passenger because his body unconsciously prepares to counteract it and because he is “tied” to the steering wheel with his hands. weapon .
In terms of performance, the electric unit produces 217 hp. The 330Nm of torque is quickly put to the ground, and in this regard, the throttle curve may need to be fine-tuned, as is done on the new Kona, to avoid this aggressive and eating performance. “The behavior is boring.” Unless you’re a fan of brutal power delivery, note the steering, which is not very direct: once tuned enough, it requires more movement, and pressing the accelerator with slightly crooked wheels makes itself felt in terms of torque.
Torque is the effect of engine torque on steering, typical of front-wheel drive vehicles equipped with a high-performance engine. The car is “pulling” us to the side, and we must quickly intervene to counteract this. However, this behavior can be easily mitigated without even being a pilot: simply apply the throttle first, select a quieter operation, or immediately release the throttle.
In terms of charging options, BYD has kept the standard 11kW in AC (alternating current), while in DC there are two peaks at the DC fast charging station depending on the battery used.
71.8 kWh model coordinates via on-board BMS maximum peak 115 kW with columns that support equal or higher degrees, while The 87 kWh battery reaches a peak power of 140 kW.. However, it will be important to see the charging curve to understand whether the thermal management of the battery is at a good level or not, and for this reason the purpose and subsequent tests. For both, the manufacturer claims charging time from 10 to 80% 42/43 minutes.
The same goes for consumption: at first contact there was a mixed route with part of the motorway, but with lower limits than the classic Italian 130 km/h, climbing mountains between urban and country roads without too much fuel consumption. space to relax your motor muscles, and a quiet coastal road along the ocean.
In this situation, BYD SEAL U recorded average consumption 18 kWh/100 km. However, since this is the first dynamic test, it is clear that real consumption test conditions will only be possible in a longer test.
BYD does not deviate from this strategy, especially with respect to completely standard high-end products. The equipment list of the two versions – Comfort and Design – confirms this. On Comfort It starts with full LED lights, fog lights, power trunk lid, two-tone alloy wheels, adjustable, folding and heated power mirrors, tinted glass, genuine leather interior, heated steering wheel, ventilated and heated seats with electrical adjustments (8 positions for driver, 4-way for front passenger), dual-zone automatic climate control, 12.3-inch instrument display and rotating infotainment display, etc. Various ADAS systems (level 2), including lane change assist, are inevitable. .
There Design there’s more: multi-color ambient lighting, a PM2.5 purification system, a larger rotating screen (15.6 inches instead of the Comfort’s 12.8 inches), a more powerful audio system (Infinity with 10 speakers) and a head-up display. . There’s also a 360° camera and adaptive headlights as standard.
Both cars have one Warranty 6 years and 150,000 kilometers.With 8 years and 200,000 kilometers on batteries (at 70% power) and on an electric motor.
BYD Print U Can you take advantage of the benefits? Yesif the price is confirmed: so far BYD has announced only European prices for BYD SEAL U:
- BYD SEAL U Comfort (71.8 kWh): 41,990 euros
- BYD SEAL U Design (87 kWh): €44,990
First rumors confirm that the price for Italy is below the incentive threshold, at least as far as Comfort is concerned, in accordance with European/German indicators, in order to take advantage of the incentives for electric vehicles. We’ll update on this as soon as there’s official confirmation, but assuming a top price of €42,700, the current formula would see the SEAL U available for €37,700 with scrapping pending new incentives to be announced on February 1st.
Both are rear-wheel drive, and the difference is essentially the battery: the 71.8 kWh Comfort stops at 115 kW in DC mode and has slightly less power discharge, which affects engine torque and acceleration, with 160 kW for both. but limited to 310. Nm on the initial version. The 87 kWh design delivers peak charging power of 140 kW and engine torque of 330 Nm.
Source: HD Motori
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.