2024 BYD Sealion 6 Super Hybrid SUV + Q&A with BYD New Zealand GM Warren Willmot

BYD is making waves! The automotive company’s nautical themed ‘Ocean’ series of vehicles already has a Seal, a Dolphin and an upcoming Shark.

BYD New Zealand GM Warren Willmot

Adding to their aquarium is the recently released Sealion 6, a five-seater SUV, and BYD’s first vehicle based on a PHEV-based platform. But you won’t hear that ‘PH’ word being uttered by BYD people, the new terminology is “Super Hybrid".

What’s a Super Hybrid you ask? AA Motoring’s Avon Bailey chatted to BYD New Zealand General Manager, Warren Willmot, to find out more about this curious Sealion with a benchmark-setting 1,100km range.

Q: The Sealion 6 is powered by a petrol/hybrid/electric drivetrain, something that we would usually label a PHEV, but you refer to it as a “Super-Hybrid” can you explain why?

A: Our DM-I powertrains can work both in Series Hybrid and Parallel Hybrid mode. That simply means that while the petrol engine can click into the drivetrain to turn the wheels, most of the time it’s acting as a generator.

Q: The Sealion 6 is part of BYD’s Ocean series, along with the Dolphin, Seal and Shark, what’s behind the aquatic theme?

A: In its domestic market, BYD Auto Group has six brands. Each with their own showrooms and dealer networks These include YangWang, FengChenBao, Denza, and three BYD subsidiaries. The design aesthetic of this series is inspired by the ocean, as you can see by the flowing contour of the body lines.

Q: What does the “6” signify?

A: The 6 is the model designation. We have plans to launch Sealion 5, 7 and 9 in the future.

Q: In New Zealand, we know BYD predominantly as an EV brand, but BYD Global has a number of PHEV vehicles in its stable. What else can we expect for New Zealand in the future?

A: BYD only produce NEVs (New Energy Vehicles). Of the four million cars BYD will produce this year, roughly 50% of them will be Super Hybrids. Over the next 24 months we will launch 15 new models to market.

Q: Is it true BYD were the first auto manufacturer to launch PHEV technology?

A: That’s correct! BYD was the first to mass produce a PHEV in 2008 – the BYD F3DM sedan.

Q: BYD sells their blade battery to many other manufacturers including Tesla, Toyota and Volvo. Do you see BYD collaborating in a similar way with their DM-I technology? 

A: BYD and Toyota have a joint venture agreement. The next generation Corolla will feature BYD’s fifth generation DM-I platform.

Q: Let’s get our heads around the stated combined range of 1,100km. How is this possible and is there any real-world evidence of range? 

A: You’ll find the WTLP ranges are realistic and achievable in New Zealand. BYD China has released Generation 5 DM-I vehicles that can achieve 2,100km range. These cars are about two years away for New Zealand.

Q: The Sealion is aimed at buyers in the competitive medium SUV segment, alongside the likes of the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV. What advantages does the Sealion 6 have that you are hoping will gain BYD market share in this segment?

A: The Sealion 6 emits just 24 grams of CO2. For corporates and fleets, changing over from a Rav4 will not only save them a lot in fuel, but the CO2 reductions are immense. BYD are the “greenest” car company in the world; this month our combined global CO2 savings have exceeded 58 billion kilograms of CO2 (equal to planting 1 billion trees). Also, the large 18kWh battery is capable of Vehicle to Load (V2L). This means that if the power goes off at home, you can plug appliances into the vehicle, like your fridge and freezer.

Driving Impressions

Earlier this year we tested the BYD Seal and were impressed by the overall build quality and contemporary design.Ditto for the Sealion 6.The ‘entry level’ Dynamic model we drove belies its basic tag. In fact, you could argue this vehicle errs on the side of luxury, with quality cabin materials, soft ergonomics and enough gadgetry to impress hardcore technophiles.

BYD’s ‘party trick’ 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen dominates the cabin (giving drivers the choice of portrait or landscape view). The display is high-res, intuitive, with zero lag between apps. BYD has partnered with audio company Infinity to offer a ten-speaker sound system (at no extra charge) that sounds crisp with plenty of bass. CarPlay and Android Auto can be wireless or wired and dual phone charging pads are standard.

The Dynamic model has 160 kW and 300Nm driving the front wheels via three modes of propulsion (electric, hybrid series, hybrid parallel). Driving in pure EV Mode feels competent; 0-100km takes modest at 8.5 seconds but will no doubt be ample for most SUV drivers. The Premium AWD version adds dual electric motors and extra zest if that’s what you are looking for.

The combustion engine is a petrol miser, reluctantly springing into life when the accelerator pedal is firmly pressed. Not that you will hear anything – the soundproofing is another quality that exceeds the price bracket. The driving experience reflects BYD’s objective of unapologetic efficiency, there are slight lags between EV and ICE switching, but after a couple of kilometres, it’s barely noticeable.

Chassis and suspension have been tuned for urban driving. It’s a soft ride which can tend to give some body roll on tight open road corners. The trade-off here is confident stability and positive driving characteristics around town. Overall, an impressive experience from a vehicle that balances the key ingredients that most Kiwi motorists look for: safety, value, range, style and features.

How Safe is it?

The Sealion 6 has just received a five-star safety rating from ANCAP.

Whats the tow rating?

1,300kg braked.

Models

Verdict

The SUV segment is overflowing with options and obvious competitors to the Sealion 6. But BYD’s Dual Mode Intelligence technology gives it a considerable edge and shifts the game into a realm of new energy innovation and range extending capability.

Bridging the technology gap between what was and what is to come, this is a contemporary SUV with ample safety and performance features, at a price point that should appeal.

Oh, and did we mention 1,100km range?    

Article by Avon Bailey

 Avon has spent three long decades doing everything there is to do in the car universe, from the car auction podium to wrenching on a race car team, he has seen it all. He brings an open mind and a sharp pencil to give an honest review of anything with four wheels.