BYD can finally offer a competitor to the best sellers Tesla Model Y in Australia, but the brand has yet to provide a timetable for when its new flagship electric SUV might arrive locally.
When asked by CarExpert if there is room in the BYD range for a larger electric SUV than Ato 3David Smitherman – CEO of BYD’s Australian distributor EVDirect – hinted at a Sea Lion 07 or an electric version of the Stamp 6 (Seal U) is coming here.
“I can’t really confirm because I’m not 100 percent sure what that looks like yet,” Mr. Smitherman said.
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“But I can assure you that this is certainly a plan, a product that I would like to bring to market.”
BYD Sea Lion 07 was introduced last year Guangzhou Motor Show featuring a design that closely resembled the Ocean X concept car and similar in size Seal sedan.
It went on sale in China this week and has been confirmed to be right-hand drive, with a New Zealand launch due this year.
However, the electric Sealion 6 – which is sold elsewhere as the Seal U – is currently built exclusively for left-hand drive markets, despite its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version launched today in Australia.
Given the launch times of previous models in New Zealand for reference, it’s likely the Sea Lion 07 won’t come to Australia until 2025 at the earliest if it makes its local showroom debut.
The BYD Sealion 6 and Shark PHEV ute are believed to be the only models from the brand scheduled to be launched in Australia this year.
BYD’s Australian distributor previously said it plans to launch at least two new vehicles each year from this year, aiming to be a top-five brand in the local sales charts in 2025.
While the Seal sedan arrived in Australia late last year as BYD’s most direct competitor to the Tesla Model 3the brand was without an SUV to compete with the Model Y.
The BYD Sea Lion 07 shares an appearance similar to the Seal electric sedan in the design of the front and rear lights, but with a larger SUV shape.
Measuring 4830mm long, 1925mm wide and 1620mm tall with a 2930mm wheelbase, it is 5mm wider but 80mm longer than the Tesla Model Y and larger than the Atto 3 in every dimension.
It’s underpinned by the brand’s 3.0 EV electronic platform architecture, which also sits under the Seal sedan, with its BYD Blade battery – available in 71.8kWh and 80.64kWh capacities – integrated into its structure for greater rigidity and safety.
Three powertrains are available in China: two rear-wheel drive grades with 170kW and 230kW respectively, plus a flagship Performance model with twin engines offering up to 390kW.
Ranges range from 550km for the base rear-wheel drive and flagship all-wheel drive to 610km in the case of the mid-range 230kW model – all tested on the CLTC mild cycle.
Pricing in China ranges from 189,800 yuan ($39,000) to 239,800 yuan ($49,525), undercutting the Tesla Model Y, which starts at 249,900 yuan ($51,600), but more expensive than Seal’s base sedan at 179,800 yuan ($37,130).
For context, the BYD Seal is priced from $49,888 before on-road costs in Australia, while the Tesla Model Y starts at $60,900 before on-road costs.
The BYD Sealion 6 PHEV launches with prices starting at $48,990 before on-road costs.
MORE ▼: The BYD Sea Lion 07 crossover is another Tesla Model Y competitorMORE ▼: BYD’s plans for a right-hand drive SUV are in focus
