BYD Sealion 7 comes to Europe

Even though the model is sold in China as the Sea Lion 07, it is the same vehicle as the Sealion 7 exhibited in Paris for Europe. In the highly competitive mid-range SUV segment, BYD wants to score points with both design and technology with its 4.83-metre-long Sealion 7.

“We’ve noticed demand for precisely this type of vehicle in Europe, so we’re delighted to introduce the Sealion 7 here in Paris. We are confident that its mix of SUV design and packaging, Blade Battery technology, range, performance and generous specification will appeal to many customers across Europe,” says Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD. “The Sealion 7 shows how BYD is reacting to customer demand and tastes in the region, and widening our product line-up to ensure the best possible coverage of the most important vehicle types.”

Like the well-known China version, the Sealion 7 is BYD’s first model based on the e-Platform 3.0 Evo – an enhanced version of the current e-Platform 3.0. The platform has thus been further improved compared to the BYD Seal – for example, with a 12-in-1 electric drive system compared to the 8-in-1 system of the previous 3.0 architecture. However, BYD still holds back on precise data for the European premiere. The all-wheel drive version with two motors should be able to accelerate to 100 kph in 4.5 seconds, with a top speed of 215 kph. However, the exact output or torque are not yet specified, and there is only talk of a “variety of configurations.” However, there are no details on the drive variants.

As with all of its electric vehicles, BYD is also using its proprietary blade battery for the Sealion 7, i.e. extremely large LFP cells that extend across the entire width of the battery pack. The Sealion 7 uses the cell-to-body variant (CTB) with a particularly high degree of integration: The cover of the battery pack is also the floor of the passenger cell.

“CTB features a high-strength honeycomb-like aluminium structure, enhancing safety – and using the battery pack as a structural component also helps to deliver incredible torsional stiffness,” says BYD. But here, too, BYD does not mention energy density, energy content or range in the press release. It only states that the EV has a charging capacity of up to 230 kW. The BYD website at least mentions “up to 91.3 kWh energy content.”

However, the cell-to-body construction and the compact blade battery are important not only for the drive but also for the design: with these technologies, the floor is “relatively thin for such a high-range EV, allowing generous amounts of headroom, despite the rakish roofline,” BYD states. And: “The Sealion 7’s raised SUV design helps to deliver outstanding cabin space and practicality, making it particularly relevant to European customers.”

How attractive the new model will be in the face of the competition is also likely to depend heavily on the price. However, BYD only intends to publish these “in the near future.” That should be the case in the next two weeks, as the Sealion 7 will be available to order in France in October. BYD plans to make the first deliveries this year.

Update 18 December 2024

BYD has officially revealed the UK prices and specifications for the Sealion 7. Prices start at £44,990 for the ‘Comfort RWD’ models, and go up to £49,290 for the ‘Design AWD’ The range is topped by the ‘Excellence AWD’ models which start at £57,290. Customer deliveries are expected to start in the first quarter of 2025.

The Sealion 7 is available at launch with two battery sizes. An 82.5 kWh battery is available for the base variant, offering up to 300 miles WLTP range on RWD models and 283 miles on AWD variants. The range-topping ‘Excellence AWD’ trim features a 91.3 kWh battery, achieving a range of up to 312 miles, according to WLTP. BYD further adds that all versions offer 11 kW AC charging and up to 150 kW or 230 kW DC fast charging, depending on the model. Using a 230 kW DC, the ‘Excellence’ model can charge from 10% to 80% in 24 minutes.

“We’re confident that its mix of SUV design and packaging, Blade Battery technology, range, high performance and generous specification will appeal to many customers across Europe,” explained BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li, adding: “The SEALION 7 shows how BYD is reacting to customer demand and tastes in the region, and widening our product line-up to ensure the best possible coverage of the most important vehicle types.”

Source: Info by e-mail, byd.com (French configurator), bydukmedia.com (update)