The Chinese car manufacturer BYD has unveiled its new electric sedan, the Sea Lion 07. This rival to Tesla’s Model Y SUV was presented as part of the Guangzhou International Motor Show, which started on November 17 and will close its doors on November 26.
The Sea Lion 07 is BYD’s response to Tesla’s Model Y, which has emerged as the best-selling car in Europe in recent months. This is the first 100% electric mid-size SUV from the leading Chinese automobile brand, which intends to take the world’s first place from the Texan manufacturer in the field of electric vehicles.
This mid-size SUV was designed by Wolfgang Egger, former chief designer of Audi and Lamborghini, and new chief designer of the Chinese brand. According to the firm, the vehicle resembles a sea lion leaping into the water, hence the name. It joins its Ocean range, which already includes the Dolphin and Seal sedans.
An SUV cheaper than the Model Y
Among the characteristics of the Sea Lion, we now know that it is based on the e-platform 3.0, and that it is equipped with the group’s 8 in 1 powertrain, a technology that improves autonomy, safety and driving at low temperature. Also included is BYD’s internal DiSus body control system, which the company claims makes the car capable of driving in almost any condition and scenario. Its dimensions are as follows: 4830 mm long, 1925 mm wide and 1620 mm high.
According to Chinese media reports, the Sea Lion 07 will be priced between 200,000 and 260,000 yuan (or $27,700 and $36,000), putting it below the base Model Y, which currently sells for between $36,900 and $50,500 in China.
BYD continues its astonishing progress. China’s top electric car maker sold more than 1.2 million units in 2023, while Tesla is targeting 1.8 million units this year.
Many Chinese brands want to shake up Tesla. Last week, Xiaomi, a maker of smartphones and consumer electronics that is diversifying into electric automobiles, previewed the SU7, a five-seat sedan with a panoramic roof that resembles the Tesla Model 3 and Model S.
Huawei has also displayed its ambitions and, last September, indicated that it would market with its partner Chery the Luxeed S7, another potential rival to the Tesla Model S.
Sources: Weibo, Bloomberg, Electrek