This week, we received confirmation that the BYD Atto 3 and e6 electric vehicles will be launching in Malaysia in early December 2022, with deliveries to start in the first quarter of next year. The two EVs will be the launch models for BYD SD Motors Malaysia (BYD SDM, under the Sime Darby Motors umbrella), but the new distributor won’t be stopping there.
BYD SDM also revealed plans to bring in the Dolphin and Seal models from the Chinese EV specialist. The BYD SDM staffer who responded to our WhatsApp enquiry said that the two electric cars with water creatures as names are being targeted for Q4 2023. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the sleek Seal.
In China, this sleek EV is called Seal, but it could probably get the Atto 4 name in some overseas markets, forming a range with the Atto 3. But unlike the 3, this ain’t no SUV – instead, it’s a four-door coupe type of sedan with a sloping roofline and short rear deck, not unlike the Honda Civic FC and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. Conveniently, the latter has an electric version called the i4, which we’ll compare to the Seal later.
If you look at this Seal’s dimensions, its 4,800 mm length and 1,875 mm width is just hairs away from the BMW i4‘s 4,783 mm and 1,852 mm. The BYD – a dedicated, ground-up EV – has a longer wheelbase though; at 2,920 mm, the distance between wheels is 64 mm longer. The Seal sits on the EV specialist’s latest e-platform 3.0, the third model to do so after the Dolphin and Atto 3/Yuan Plus. However, the Seal uses an 800V electrical architecture like posh EVs such as the Porsche Taycan and sexy Audi e-tron GT.
In China, there are four variants of the Seal. The RWD Elite and Premium have a single 201 hp motor driving the rear wheels and powered by a 61.4 kWh in-house Blade battery. Such equipped, the local CLTC range per charge is 550 km and 0-100 km/h acceleration takes 7.5 seconds.
A 308 hp motor is mated to a 82.5 kWh battery in the Long Range RWD, boosting range to 700 km. The 250 km gain over the base combo also comes with a better 0-100 km/h time, now at 5.9 seconds. The ultimate Seal is the Long Range AWD Performance. As the AWD in the name suggests, there are two motors here for a combined 523 hp and 0-100 km/h time in 3.8 seconds. The sole dual-motor variant’s range is 650 km.
The Seal is often described as a Tesla Model 3 rival. The Model 3 comes in Standard, Long Range and Performance variants, with the latter two equipped with dual-motor AWD. The Long Range AWD is probably the best balance between price and performance, with a claimed range of 576 km (Standard 437 km, Performance 506 km) and 0-100 km/h time of 4.2 seconds. The Performance does it in 3.1 seconds.
Meanwhile, the BMW i4 – in top M50 form with a 83.9 kWh battery – has two motors, AWD, total system output 544 PS and a 0-100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds. Range is 510 km on the WLTP cycle, which is 80 km less than the 590 km of the less-powerful eDrive40 version. As you can see, the Seal is very much in the same arena as the BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3, and is even ahead in some areas.
Since Tesla is not officially in Malaysia, we’ll look at the BMW i4 for pricing context. The i4 eDrive40 M Sport is priced at RM389,800 with BMW Malaysia’s extended warranty and service package, while the i4 M50 is yours for RM430,800.
In China, the BYD Seal starts from the equivalent of RM210k, but the Long Range RWD with the 700 km range goes for the equivalent of RM259k. Would BYD SDM be able to squeeze it in below the RM300k mark in Malaysia?
If so, we’d be looking at a great-looking EV with top-level specs at a relatively affordable price. Even if it’s priced above RM300k, the BYD Seal is well-placed to be the most affordable long-range EV in Malaysia when it arrives in Q4 2023. What do you think? Before you answer, tour the Seal’s interior below. Also, learn more about the other EVs mentioned here by clicking the links above.
For something more attainable, check out the BYD Dolphin that we profiled yesterday – with a potential starting price of below RM100k, that one is set to be Malaysia’s cheapest EV when it swims to our shores together with the Seal.
VIDEO: BYD Seal Interior
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Whatever the price as long as it’s below RM150K range (reserved for the protected species).
China cars are going big in Thailand because their rakyat do not have bias, assumptions, bigoted, and fear of China products unlike here. It was only thanks to Proton that Geely cars can have solid footing and then opening the car market to other China brands.
Kudos to Proton for giving Rakyat Malaysia affordable value for money cars!
#KeluargaMalaysia #DrivesProton #OverpricedJapsCanDie
support type-c usb charging or not?..that’s the only charger i have
Can buy USB Type A to Type C converter (or vice versa) from Shopee Lazada at RM5 or less
Paultan where are you getting the price info, it says around 32k for Seal base model in china, equivalent to 140k. Check you facts maybe?