BYD Seal 06 GT: A New Challenger to Cupra Born and Volkswagen ID 3

Introduction

BYD has unveiled the first images of its highly anticipated competitor to the Cupra Born and Volkswagen ID 3, known as the Seal 06 GT. This new electric vehicle fills the gap between BYD’s Dolphin hatchback and Seal saloon, and is set to make a significant impact in the market.

Design

The Seal 06 GT takes inspiration from the Ocean M concept showcased at the Beijing motor show earlier this year. While the design has been toned down compared to the concept, it still retains the stylish Alfa Romeo Teledial-style alloy wheels. The aggressive splitters, side skirts, and spoiler have been removed to give the car a more understated look.

Interior

Inside the Seal 06 GT, the design is heavily influenced by the Seal saloon. The dashboard features a large infotainment touchscreen as the centerpiece, allowing easy access to various functions including climate control. However, physical buttons are still present on the center console for safety-critical features like window demisters.

Technology and Powertrain

The Seal 06 GT is built on the new e-Platform 3.0 architecture, which is also used in the Dolphin hatchback and Seal saloon. It utilizes a new generation of cell-to-body battery packs for improved performance. Detailed technical specifications will be revealed on August 30, when the car is officially launched in China.

It is expected that the Seal 06 GT will have similar specifications to the recent facelift of the Seal saloon. This includes more powerful 800V electricals for faster charging, although there may be a slight reduction in range. The saloon now offers a range of 404 miles on the CLTC test cycle, which translates to approximately 320 miles on the stricter WLTP test used in Europe.

The Seal 06 GT will be available with a single-motor powertrain delivering 308bhp to the rear wheels. There is also a dual-motor option with 523bhp and four-wheel drive. If the former is chosen, the Seal 06 GT will compete with electric hot hatches like the Cupra Born VZ and Volkswagen ID 3 GTX.

Conclusion

The BYD Seal 06 GT is set to make a significant impact in the electric vehicle market. With its stylish design, advanced technology, and powerful performance, it will be a strong competitor to the Cupra Born and Volkswagen ID 3. More details will be revealed on August 30 when the car goes on sale in China.