We updated this story with official translations of the original Chinese names after being contacted by BYD. More specifically, the “Destroyer” nameplate was replaced with the “Chaser”, and the “Warship Series” with the “Ocean Series” as instructed by the automaker.
BYD has many surprises in store for visitors to the Shanghai Auto Show this year, with most of them being – you guessed it, electric vehicles. However, the automaker hasn’t neglected its plug-in hybrid proposals, unveiling the all-new Chaser 07 sedan which sits above the slightly smaller Chaser 05.
The new Chaser 07 shares proportions and footprint with the BYD Han sedan, measuring 4,980 mm (196 inches) long, 1,890 mm (74.4 inches) wide, and 1,495 mm (58.9 inches) tall, with a wheelbase of 2,900 mm (114.2 inches). These dimensions make it slightly larger than the long-wheelbase variants of the BMW 3-Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class available in China.
Read: BYD Song L EV Debuts In China Looking Like A Kia EV6 With A Porsche Tail
Despite being a PHEV, the Chaser 07 takes design inspiration from the Seal EV, with similar facial features and greenhouse styling that also gives off Hyundai Sonata vibes. Unlike the grille-less EV, the PHEV has horizontal openings on the front bumper for cooling the combustion engine. Although the interior has not yet been revealed, we anticipate a large portrait-oriented touchscreen display and plenty of advanced technology.
Speaking of the powertrain, the model comes fitted with BYD’s DM-i super hybrid system based around a 1.5-liter engine which is naturally aspirated or turbocharged offering two different power outputs. There are also two battery capacities allowing an EV-only range of 121 km (75 miles) or 200 km (124 miles) respectively, with both figures calculated under the NEDC protocols.
The upcoming Chaser 07 – a member of BYD’s Ocean series – is expected to hit the Chinese market in the second half of 2023, with a price range between ¥200,000 ($29,061) and ¥250,000 ($36,327).
