The new BYD Seal was launched in China and is projected to be a serious challenger to the Tesla Model 3. The BYD Seal comes in a price range between 212,800-289,800 RMB (31,890-43,430 USD).
BYD Seal uses the BYD e-platform 3.0 and adopts the latest CTB (Cell to Body) technology. The BYD Seal is the first vehicle to adopt CTB technology.
The BYD Seal has a drag coefficient of 0.219 Cd – slightly better than the Porsche Taycan at 0.22 Cd. On the exterior, the BYD features long, narrow headlamps, a low hood, pop-out door handles, and a long taillight unit.
Seal dimensions are 4800/1875/1460 mm with a wheelbase of 2920 mm. If we compare it to the Tesla Model 3, the Seal is 106 mm longer, 26 mm wider and 17 mm taller. The wheelbase of the Seal is 45 mm longer than the Tesla Model 3.
BYD Seal is built using the BYD e-platform 3.0. Using CTB (Cell to Body) technology, the Seal battery is integrated into the frame. With CTB technology, the Seal floor is the top cover of the battery. With CTB technology, BYD claims the battery can withstand a pressure of 50 tons.
CTB technology makes the torsional rigidity of the Seal reach 40,000 Nm/degree. Slightly lower than the Porsche Taycan, with 42,000 Nm/degree.
The BYD Seal features an iTAC (Intelligent Torque Control System) which can control the speed of each wheel more than 50 ms in advance. BYD claims that the iTAC system allows the Seal to pass the deer test at 83.5 km/h.
BYD says the 4WD Seal’s energy consumption is 12.7 kWh/100km. And the battery can cover 300 km in just 15 minutes of charging. The BYD Seal comes with four trim levels.:
- The standard rear-wheel drive Elite version with a CLTC range of 550 km starts at RMB 212,800 ($31,860).
- The standard range of the premium version is rear-wheel drive with a range of 550 km starting from RMB 225,800 (33,840 USD).
- The long-range rear-wheel drive version with a range of 700 km starts at RMB 262,800 (39,380 USD).
- The four-wheel drive performance version with a range of 650 km starts at RMB 289,800 (43,430 USD).
For comparison, the Tesla Model 3 with RWD starts at 291,000 RMB (43,600 USD) in China. So Seal is the clear leader in terms of price.
