Bangkok 2024: BYD Sea Lion 07 previewed – Tesla Model Y rival with Seal design, motors; coming soon?

Bangkok 2024: BYD Sea Lion 07 previewed – Tesla Model Y rival with Seal design, motors; coming soon?

We thought the sheer size of the BYD stand at the 2024 Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS) was its only talking point, since the cars the company showed were already being sold in Malaysia. That turned out not to be the case – the Chinese electric vehicle expert rejigged its display today to include two never-before-seen models from the Chinese market, including this Sea Lion 07.

The numeral in the car’s name points to this being the first in a series of Sea Lion EVs, within the already sprawling Ocean Series. It’s so new it hasn’t even been gone on sale in China yet, this being the pre-production model that was shown at Auto Guangzhou last November.

Despite its name, the Sea Lion 07 is very similar to the Song L. Both are coupé-style electric SUVs with a long body and low roofline. The design, meanwhile, borrows plenty from the Seal, not least the C-shaped headlights, large air intakes, full-width taillights and large rear diffuser. The black roof and contrasting silver side window accent are unique to the Sea Lion 07. No interior photos have been revealed so far, and the car is tinted so heavily that we can’t snap a photo of the cabin.

Bangkok 2024: BYD Sea Lion 07 previewed – Tesla Model Y rival with Seal design, motors; coming soon?

No technical details have been revealed just yet, but CarNewsChina has reported that the car will be offered in three variants, including two rear-wheel-drive models making 231 PS (170 kW) and 313 PS (230 kW). The all-wheel-drive version, meanwhile, adds a 218 PS (160 kW) front motor for a total system output of 530 PS (390 kW).

These figures are identical to the Seal Dynamic, Premium and Performance models respectively, so expect the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade batteries to be of the same size as well – 61.4 kWh for the Dynamic and 82.5 kWh for the Premium and Performance.

The Sea Lion 07’s appearance at BIMS does obviously open the door for a Thai launch sometime in the future. It’s the only SUV in the Ocean Series confirmed for right-hand-drive production and it will open a new, more profitable market segment for BYD. Could we see the Sea Lion 07 launching in Malaysia soon?

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • anonymous on Mar 26, 2024 at 8:02 pm

    this looks so much nicer than that much raved about car that basically looks like a bloated toad

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Greeth on Mar 26, 2024 at 9:08 pm

    Nice!! Bring to malaysia too

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Song L is much nicer, hope they produce right hand drive version for export

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Squid on Mar 27, 2024 at 7:51 am

    Lets start naming the next models… I go first..

    Sea Horse

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Nice SportBack Looking

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Not to be named on Mar 27, 2024 at 9:35 am

    Their car are great really but mann their model naming really terrible. Sea Lion 07? Where the heck that 07 comes from, and Sea Lion? Couldn’t find a better single word name? Their naming scheme is soo “China”. But at least they reasoned it with Ocean series, so make sense a bit i guess. Only second worse to “Good Cat”.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 5
  • Bring this in . Take my money BYD. Gotta be fast if not Kia ev5 will rule and taking the big piece of Malaysia cake if sea lion 07 late to the party

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Vtec kick in yo on Mar 28, 2024 at 6:15 pm

    Gad demn so sexy yo . Hot cakes

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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