The European version of the BYD Song Plus Champion Edition already unveiled in China has been launched at the Munich Motor Show. It is dubbed the BYD Seal U and has a design very similar to the Seal sedan, albeit in SUV form.
Like the Seal sedan, the BYD Seal U is underpinned by the car manufacturer’s e-Platform 3.0 but unlike its sibling, the Seal U is being offered in plug-in hybrid and battery-electric guises. While technical specifications of the models heading to Europe have not yet been announced, we do know some of the key details.
In China, the electric versions of the Seal U are offered with 71 kWh and 87 kWh battery packs. Two variants of the EV are tipped to launch in Europe, dubbed the Comfort and the Design. Both models rely on a single electric motor that delivers 204 hp in the Comfort and 218 hp in the Design. Those figures aren’t particularly impressive but it is possible that a more powerful version will be available at a later date.
Read: BYD Sold A Record 1.25 Million PHEVs And EVs In The First Half Of The Year
BYD Seal U models sold in China have claimed ranges of 520 km (323 miles) and 605 km (376 miles) on the local CLTC test cycle. They also support 150 kW DC fast charging that will allow owners to top up the battery from 30 to 80% in less than 30 minutes.
While the BYD Seal U in these pictures is the all-electric version, the car manufacturer is also expected to sell the plug-in hybrid in Europe. This version is known as the DM-i in China and features a 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine that is supplemented by an electric motor to produce a combined 197 hp. This version can travel between 110 km (68 miles) and 150 km (93 miles) on all-electric power depending on the battery pack chosen.
