BYD SEALION 06 Launched in Australia — Our Quick Review

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As I write this, BYD is holding its EOFY “Competition BYD” one-day occasion. I made a decision to not attend. Why? As a result of it is going to be so busy that nobody could have the time to reply my endless questions. So, Majella and I selected to go to yesterday and bought the knowledge and the take a look at drive of the Sealion 06 that we wished. Observe that the Sealion 06 was beforehand to be referred to as the Seal U. (Editor’s be aware: Sure, the title BYD has given this mannequin in Australia is “Sealion” fairly than “Sea Lion” — or, truly, BYD writes “SEALION” throughout its webpage, however we tried utilizing that all through this text and it was simply too loud.)

Sealion 06 in Brisbane
David and Sarah at Bartley’s lookout with the Sealion 06. Photograph courtesy of Majella Waterworth.

The employees at BYD Brisbane had been exceedingly beneficiant with their information and time. Teri Louise, the final supervisor, launched us to Sean the gross sales supervisor after which Sarah took us for a take a look at drive. After the rising pains of the previous two years, BYD has actually streamlined and professionalised its operation (the Atto 3 solely launched about 2 years in the past).

The BYD Sealion 06 is a plug-in hybrid SUV about the identical dimension as a Hyundai Tucson or Toyota RAV4. You possibly can learn all of the technical particulars here. Though I don’t normally have a look at PHEVs, for this one we made an exception. Why? First as a result of it’s a BYD and second as a result of its BEV brother (the Sealion 07) will doubtless launch in Australia by the top of the 12 months. This one is seen as a transitional car.

Geared up with DM-I expertise, the Sealion 06 can drive in EV solely mode (battery has a spread of round 90 km), in sequence mode (the place the electrical motor is driving the wheels and the 1.5 L petrol motor is appearing as a generator), or in parallel mode (the place each electrical and petrol are delivering energy to the wheels by means of a moist clutch). As you’ll anticipate, this final mode delivers an enormous quantity of energy.

Sealion 06
Sealion 06 entrance inside. Photograph courtesy Majella Waterworth.

The motive force can choose EV or HEV mode and the on-board pc will decide the necessity for parallel or sequence energy utility. “When you want extra energy, extra can be supplied,” Sean tells me. The battery restrict earlier than the petrol motor kicks in might be set at any state of cost by the onboard pc. We mentioned a few situations: When commuting to work — say, 20 km every means — it may very well be carried out on battery alone. Within the night, plug into a standard energy level to realize a full cost in 9 hours. “Consider it as an enormous cell phone.”

Sean suggested that if happening a protracted journey, finest to drive the automotive as a HEV. Consumption on such a visit might get as little as 1.1 L per 100 km. Now that’s effectivity. If caught in site visitors, can depart the automotive in EV mode for the air-con, and many others.

Sealion 06
Sealion 06 rear inside. Photograph courtesy Majella Waterworth

After 6 years in gross sales with Toyota, Sean moved throughout to BYD. I couldn’t resist evaluating the Sealion 06 to Toyota’s HEV choices. Apparently, it’s a completely different kettle of fish. “A Toyota HEV is a petroleum automotive with an electrical help. The BYD Sealion 06 is an electrical automotive with a petroleum help. Plus, you’ll be able to plug it in.” What about prices?

Sealion 06
On one aspect — the cost level. Photograph courtesy Majella Waterworth

The Sealion 06’s pricing is consistent with BYD’s different value-for-money choices. The Dynamic is AU$48,990 plus on-roads, the up-market premium is AU$53,000 plus on-roads. Sadly, PHEVs don’t qualify for the state authorities’s AU$6,000 electrical automotive rebate. But when leased, it is going to be capable of declare the perimeter advantages tax concession. A couple of third of enquirers are being referred from their leasing corporations. The bean counters know worth once they see it.

Sealion 6
And on the opposite aspect, petrol goes in. Photograph courtesy Majella Waterworth.

Curiosity in BYD as a complete has surged. It’s the second highest selling EV brand in Australia, behind Tesla. Sean has discovered that the general public are excited concerning the Sealion 06, commenting that it’s a “usable electrical automotive.” Many Australian households have a smaller automotive for metropolis driving and a bigger car for weekend and vacation journeys. The Sealion 06 can act as a BEV through the week and an HEV for longer journeys. “If you wish to go EV, however you’re involved about vary, that is the automotive for you,” Sean provides.

Let’s speak numbers. I like laborious knowledge. Nationally, orders for the Sealion 06 are approaching 3,000 prior to now month. Relying on the color you choose, Sean tells me you’ll be able to have your automotive in as little as 7 days. In Brisbane alone, 171 BYDs (Atto 3, Seal, and Dolphin) had been delivered in Could. Tesla could also be slowing down, however BYD is hiring extra employees and rushing up. “Since opening in October 2023, each month has been a document month at BYD Brisbane.”

BYD Brisbane is about amongst a gaggle of automotive dealerships and sits simply throughout the highway from BMW. Each weekend, individuals go to the BMW dealership, then cross the highway to BYD to ask the query: “Why are your automobiles half the value?” They actually aren’t half the standard.

Sean tells me that almost all of consumers are properly knowledgeable and have skilled EVs by means of their social networks — household, associates, work colleagues, and neighbours. BYD does some promoting on Fb and Instagram. Then, there are these highly effective referrals from leasing corporations.

BYD’s liberation battle on ICE will proceed later within the 12 months in Australia with the launch of the Shark ute and presumably the Seagull (presumably to be renamed because the Dolphin Mini). The Seagull has not but been confirmed for the Australian market. Nationally, there have been hundreds of expressions of curiosity within the Shark ute (additionally a PHEV). BYD is aiming for a car in each phase of the Australian market as quickly as attainable.

At current, roughly 30% of BYD gross sales in Brisbane have been for the Seal, 25% for the newly up to date Atto 3, 20% for the Dolphin, and 25% for the Sealion 06. The Dolphin’s value has just lately been lowered and an upsurge in gross sales is predicted.

Final week, BYD offered on the RACQ MotorFest and the 2 automobiles out there – a Sealion 06 and a Seal had been taken for a minimum of 30 take a look at drives. The general public may be very .

After knowledge gathering and this nice chat, we had been off to Bartley’s Lookout for a take a look at drive with Sarah. The Sealion 06 has loads of knobs and buttons for individuals who like them and loads of energy up the hills. Majella sometimes will get to drive our daughter’s diesel Hyundai Santa Fe. She discovered that the Sealion 06 had an identical consolation degree and journey high quality. “It was a really easy snug journey, with energy once I wanted it — however not as a lot because the Seal on this scenario.” The regen was somewhat mushy within the HEV setting, however the automotive gained extra regen within the EV setting.

The screens displaying knowledge readouts had been simple to see when driving. It was fascinating having a petroleum gauge and a battery cost degree. The Sealion had nice visibility for reversing. The animation even confirmed the wheels turning once we had been reverse parking the automotive.

Sealion 06
Have one other have a look at this new BYD. Photograph courtesy Majella Waterworth.

Total, the Sealion is a superb transitional automotive for these nonetheless somewhat nervous about going “full BEV.”


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