Specifcations Unveiled for the 2023 BYD Seal Electric Sedan

By Jeff Gibbs

The 2023 BYD Seal electric sedan from China is ready to challenge the Tesla Model 3, according to Australian homologation data that recently surfaced online. This data confrms previously reported specifcations and positions the BYD Seal as a contender against the Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2, and Hyundai IONIQ 6.

BYD Australia has yet to release complete pricing and equipment details for the Seal range, but managing director Luke Todd has promised a highly competitive starting price. The company has already garnered over 10,000 expressions of interest, hinting at the excitement surrounding the upcoming model.

Offcial government data reveals that the BYD Seal will be available in three distinct grades: Dynamic, Premium, and Performance, each equipped with its own unique powertrain.

Starting at the base level, the Dynamic variant will feature a 150kW singlemotor setup and 18-inch wheels, weighing in at 1922kg.

Moving up the range, the mid-range BYD Seal Premium will sport a 230kW motor and accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in a claimed 5.9 seconds, boasting a range of up to 570km on the WLTP cycle. Weighing 2055kg, this variant will ride on 19-inch alloys.

At the top of the Seal line-up, the Performance fagship will deliver a combined power output of 390kW through a dual-motor powertrain, featuring all-wheel drive.

This setup yields an impressive 0-100km/h time of 3.8 seconds, albeit with a slightly reduced range of 520km. Tipping the scales at 2185kg, the Performance model shares the same wheel specifcations as the Premium.

In terms of battery capacity, European equivalents of the Premium and

Performance variants will draw power from an 82kWh Blade battery, while the base Dynamic variant is expected to feature a smaller 61.4kWh unit, providing a range of up to 460km. Finally, the braking system varies across the models, with the entry-level Dynamic featuring a more modest setup compared to its higher-tier siblings.

The BYD Seal is set to expand BYD Australia’s model line-up, joining the Atto3 small electric SUV and the upcoming Dolphin electric hatch. Future plans also include a hybrid dual-cab Ute, a mid-size electric SUV, and potentially a compact Seagull electric SUV.