What’s in a name? 2024 BYD Seal U rebranded BYD Sealion 6 ahead of Australian debut
The 2024 BYD Seal U has been renamed at the very last minute the BYD Sealion 6 ahead of its Australian debut on May 16.
Originally, the Seal U was going to be the nameplate here for the plug-in hybrid mid-size SUV rival for the Toyota RAV4 hybrid and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
The local name change has reportedly been made to avoid confusion with the battery electric Seal sedan.
READ MORE: 2024 BYD Shark revealed: Plug-in petrol dual-cab wants to decimate diesel
READ MORE: Beijing show: Stunning BYD Ocean-M is a rear-drive electric hot hatch based on an all-new platform
READ MORE: BYD’s staggering Australian ambitions: Electrified mega-brand plans sales explosion and new model avalanche
Seal U is the name the vehicle has in Europe where it is an electric vehicle. It is known in China as the Song Plus where it is sold as an EV and PHEV and where it will soon be replaced by a new generation.
Just to confuse things further, there is a battery electric SUV in China called the Sea Lion 7 (yes two words) that is also expected to come to Australia as a direct rival for the Tesla Model Y.
The late-stage rebadging of the Seal U was revealed following the release of local Australian Design Rules certification documents.
Once launched, the docs reveal that the BYD Sealion 6 will be offered in Dynamic or Premium trim levels – with two different power outputs.
Under the bonnet both combine a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, by the Dynamic pairs a 70kW petrol and a 145kW for a combined 160kW, while the Premium blends a 96kW combustion engine with a bigger 150kW front motor and a 120kW rear motor.
In total, the Premium pumps out an impressive 238kW and gets all-wheel drive.
A single speed transmission is listed for the both the Sealion 6 variants which is thought to be combined with a CVT to blend the petrol and electric powertrains.
As well as different power outputs BYD will combine the Dynamic with an 18.3kWh battery for a 110km EV range and a larger 26.6kWh power pack for a 150km range, although both figures were recorded on the more relaxed NEDC test regime, rather than the stricter WLTP test cycle used in Europe.
A cornerstone of the Chinese maker’s huge local sales ambitions, the 2024 BYD Sealion 6 will make its official Australian debut in Melbourne later this week.
Watch out for our first drive review of the BYD Sealion 6 on Sunday May 19.
