A hotly anticipated green machine will take the fight to Tesla with a surprisingly bold approach to pricing in Australia.
Electric vehicle upstart BYD has fired new shots in the battle for green car customers, unveiling a third car available for less than $50,000.
The Chinese brand surprised industry experts by revealing that its Tesla Model 3 rival, the BYD Seal, will be priced from $49,888 plus on road costs (about $51,000 drive-away), undercutting the cheapest Tesla by more than $10,000.
The BYD Seal electric car is surprisingly affordable.
The BYD Seal will join mid-sized Atto 3 and compact Dolphin EVs in Australia early next-year with a choice of three models.
Budget “Dynamic” versions combine a 61.44kWh battery with a rear-mounted 150kW/310Nm electric motor to deliver about 460 kilometres of range and a 7.5 second dash to 100km/h for about $51,000 drive-away.
Mid-range Seal Premium motors add a bigger 82.56kW battery and more powerful 230kW/360Nm motor to bring 570 kilometres of range and a 5.9 second sprint to 100km/h for about $60,000 drive-away.
The Seal shapes up as an alternative to the Tesla Model 3.
Range-topping Seal Performance versions add an additional 160kW/310Nm front electric motor to the Premium, lending all-wheel-drive traction and a 3.8 second sprint to 100km/h for $68,798 plus on-roads (about $70,000 drive-away).
The performance model has about 520km of range.
Frequency sensitive shock absorbers similar to the those found in the Kia EV6 join upgraded brakes in the performance variant.
The standard car has 18-inch wheels with basic tyres and budget brakes, while Premium and Performance models get batter hardware including 19-inch wheels with premium Continental rubber.
The Seal’s central touchscreen rotates to display content in portrait or landscape form.
Vinyl trim is standard on the entry-level car, while mid and high-grade versions get leather trim for the seats and steering wheel.
All three cars have a 15.6-inch infotainment screen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, wired Apple CarPlay, sat-nav and two wireless phone charging docks.
All three models have heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof and dual zone climate control backed by a heat pump often missing from budget EVs.
The BYD Seal electric car arrives soon.
Safety gear includes nine airbags, auto emergency braking, lane keeping assistance and active cruise control.
Front and rear cross traffic alerts with auto braking are standard in all three trims, as are a powered boot lid and electric driver’s seat adjustment.
The generously-equipped model will put pressure on cars from established brands, including the Hyundai Kona Electric and Nissan Leaf.
BYD claims 400 litres of rear boot space in addition to 50-litre front trunk.
EVDirect.com chief executive Luke Todd pictured with the BYD Dolphin EV. Picture: David Clark
Luke Todd, chief executive of BYD importer EV Direct, says “this really is a significant moment in the Australian automotive industry”.
“When I first founded EVDirect the objective was to bring the world’s best electric vehicle technology to Australia and do so in an affordable manner. I’m confident we have delivered,” he says.
“The entire automotive industry in Australia has been changed.”
Keyword: BYD Seal priced aggressively for Australia