2024 PEVS: BYD Cars PH launches Seal

MANILA: BYD Cars Philippines Incorporated, under the distributorship of Ayala-led ACMobility, has officially launched the high-performance Seal sedan at the 2024 Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS).

The all-new BYD model has entered the scene as a premium offering while striking a balance between exhilarating acceleration and handling, as well as a high-end and cushy car riding experience.

So, what is it offering prospective buyers? Let’s find out here. 

Exterior

For its exterior, the all-electric Seal gets a sharp, rakish look, which hints at what it is capable of. Plus, it comes with relatively hefty dimensions at 4,800-milimeters (mm) long, 1,875-mm wide, and 1,460-mm in height. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,920-mm. 

With the said measurements, the model has the girth to compete against the likes of the Toyota Camry, Lexus IS300h, and the BMW 3-series. 

Complementing the appearance of the BYD sedan are sharp-looking LED headlamp clusters, a huge rear diffuser, an LED taillight bar, and a set of 19-inch wheels. 

As a rarity, even in the local luxury car segment, the Seal was kitted out with a roof entirely made out of glass. The said part generously lets light into the interior, but otherwise, it can be switched to an opaque mode that's able to block light.

Other convenience features positioned on the exterior of the sedan are listed here:

• Power-folding, power-adjustable side mirrors
• Power tailgate
• Front trunk
• Automatic headlamp functionality
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Sound-proofed front and side windows
• Heated and defrosting rear window

Interior

Inside, the BYD Seal showcases a cabin that mixes sportiness and comfort. 

For starters, its two front seats have significantly tall bolsters for added support, as well as a rigid one-piece design where the headrest is fused with the seat-back. The seats appear to be suited for spirited driving, but they also have power adjustability, lumbar support, heating and ventilation, and soft quilted leather upholstery. 

Added comfort for the driver is provided by a large and soft center armrest, which doubles as a storage bin and the housing for the vehicle’s NFC reader. The model also has a flat-bottom leather steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustability, a leather-wrapped dashboard, a glass-decorated gear selector, and an automatic anti-dazzle rearview mirror. 

The rear cabin, meanwhile, gets its own center armrest and air-conditioning vents. Speaking of which, the Seal comes standard with a dual-zone automatic climate control system paired with a negative ion air purifier.

Handling on-board entertainment for the five-seater all-electric sedan is a 15.6-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The said screen goes together with a 12-piece Dynaudio speaker system, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and several USB ports. 

The driver, on the other hand, has access to a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster. Several crucial driver parameters are also shown on the model’s heads-up display, which is projected on the car’s windshield. 

More tech features aboard the BYD model come in the form of audio streaming capabilities, an English language voice assistant, and a rotating functionality for the central touchscreen display.

The trunk of the Seal, meanwhile, features a default capacity of 400 liters. Moreover, its front trunk can hold an additional 50 liters of cargo.  

Safety

Basic safety for the all-new BYD Seal is provided by a total of eight airbags, anti-lock braking, ISOFIX child seat anchors, six parking sensors, a 360-degree view camera, traction control, stability control, hill-start assist, and electronic brake force distribution - among others. 

Its standard kit is supported by a number of advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) listed here: 

• Adaptive cruise control
• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane departure warning
• Lane departure prevention
• Emergency lane keeping
• Traffic sign recognition
• Blind-spot detection
• Front and rear cross-traffic alert
• Driver attention warning
• Intelligent speed limit control
• High beam assist

Powertrain

Propelling the all-new BYD Seal is a front and rear motor setup capable of producing up to 522 horsepower and 670 Newton-meters of torque. Thanks to the said engine output, the newly launched model can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in just 3.8 seconds. 

Concerning range, the model offers up to 580 kilometers from a single full charge of its 82.5 kilowatt-hour battery. Topping up the vehicle is likewise done quickly, thanks to the model’s 150-kilowatt direct current charging capability. 

For enhanced handling, the Seal depends on an all-wheel-drive system and a set of frequency selective damping shock absorbers. 

Also highlighted by the all-electric ride is BYD’s “cell-to-body technology.” In a nutshell, it is a chassis design concept that incorporates the car’s sizable Blade batteries with the chassis. The result is a more rigid vehicle, a very low center of gravity, and a balanced 50:50 weight distribution. 

Pricing

The BYD Seal is available in the Philippine market with a starting price of P2.548 million. Its selection of exterior colors include Artic Blue, Cosmos Black, Arctic White, and Atlantis Grey. 

Also read: 

BYD Cars PH breaks ground for soon-to-rise Bacoor dealership

BYD Cars PH to launch Seal high-performance EV at 2024 PEVS