BYD Seal 6 DM-i, a plug-in sedan that aims to turn the segment on its head
The Chinese brand presents the Seal 6 DM-i, a sedan with more than 1,500 kilometers of combined autonomy and a more than competitive price.
Although it seemed that the traditional sedan segment was on the decline in Europe and that traditional manufacturers had decided to abandon the segment to focus on SUVs, the Chinese company BYD has decided to firmly commit to a sedan with three-box sedan and station wagon body styles, which it hopes to transform.
The new BYD Seal 6 DM-i is a 4.8-meter-long vehicle with a trunk capacity of between 1,300 and 1,500 liters, featuring extensive technological equipment, fully electric ranges of between 55 and 105 kilometers, and a truly competitive price range. According to the brand, the final price of this technological plug-in hybrid sedan will range between €27,000 and €33,000 after applying promotional discounts and the aid and incentives of the MOVES III plan.
An elegant and technological sedan
BYD offers two trim levels called Boost and Comfort, which offer impressive standard features, such as adaptive cruise control, seven airbags, a high-quality sound system, overhead or 360-degree cameras, and several driving assistants. The entry-level Boost version also offers LED headlights, 17-inch wheels, a 12.8-inch central touchscreen, and a fully digital instrument cluster. The Comfort version, meanwhile, includes 18-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a 15.6-inch central screen, and power-adjustable seats with integrated ventilation and heating.
Mechanically, this Seal 6 DM-i uses a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with an electric motor, which in the entry-level Boost version reaches 184 hp and in the Comfort version increases its performance to 212 hp. All versions are paired with a front-wheel drive system and automatic transmission, thanks to its batteries with a capacity of up to 19 kWh, allowing approved ranges in fully electric mode of up to 105 kilometers, which rise to 1,500 kilometers in combined mode. Its acceleration capacity is 0 to 100 km/h in just over nine seconds and a top speed of 180 km/h.
Beyond the performance, price, and equipment, the new Seal 6 DM-i is a car with an elegant and modern design, which maintains the essence of the aesthetic line of the models that are working so well for BYD in Europe, with a predominance of curved shapes and aerodynamic design that provide a feeling of freshness and flexibility.
Risky bet in a segment in recession
The new BYD Seal 6 DM-i is a decisive bet in a segment, that of European sedans and station wagons, which has practically disappeared in recent years. Without going any further, traditional manufacturers such as Ford, Opel and Renault have abandoned their Mondeo, Insignia and Talisman, among others. At this point, only the Volkswagen Passat and the Skoda Superb remain in a segment, that of traditional European sedans, which seems to have lost its piston in recent years. It is true that Audi maintains the A4, BMW the 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz the C-Class, but these models should not be competitors of the new BYD Seal DM-i, since the target or target audience is radically different.
BYD believes there is latent demand for this type of vehicle in Europe, and that the Seal 6 DM-i could be the catalyst for a segment that is experiencing difficulties. Only time will tell if its strategic approach has been successful and if the Seal 6 DM-i revives European buyers' interest in sedans and station wagons in a market dominated by SUVs.