BYD has made a notable impact in the European automotive market, introducing its new electric SUV, the Sea Lion 7, at the Paris Motor Show. Competing with the Tesla Model Y, the Sea Lion 7 features three variants, with power ranging from 312 to 530 horsepower. It offers impressive acceleration and charging capabilities, along with a spacious interior. Expected to launch in the UK and France next year, it will be priced around 45,000 euros.
BYD’s Rise in the European Automotive Market
Since making its debut in Europe last year, BYD has successfully established a significant presence in the automotive sector, although it still trails Tesla in sales figures. However, the brand’s recent achievement of becoming the top seller in China indicates that it may soon challenge its rival in the global market.
Introducing the BYD Sea Lion 7
BYD has unveiled its latest electric SUV, the Sea Lion 7, at the recent Paris Motor Show, expanding its lineup that already includes models like the Dolphin and the Seal. Initially, the manufacturer was tight-lipped about the technical specifications of this new model, which is positioned to compete with the Tesla Model Y.
Fortunately, detailed performance information has now emerged, courtesy of the British publication Autocar. The Sea Lion 7 is built on an upgraded version of the e-Platform 3.0 Evo, which also supports other models like the Atto 3 SUV. The Sea Lion 7 will be available in three different variants, starting with the Comfort model, which may change its name for the French market.
This entry-level option features a single motor and rear-wheel drive, delivering an impressive 312 horsepower and 379 Nm of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.7 seconds, thanks to its 82.5 kWh Blade LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) battery that provides a range of approximately 482 kilometers, based on the WLTP cycle. In comparison, the Tesla Model Y’s base version offers only 455 kilometers of range with a smaller 60 kWh battery, suggesting that BYD may have higher energy consumption.
The Sea Lion 7 also offers a more powerful Design version, equipped with an additional front motor, resulting in a total output of 530 horsepower and 690 Nm of torque. This variant can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 4.5 seconds, although its range reduces to 455 kilometers due to the unchanged battery capacity. This puts it at a disadvantage compared to the Model Y, which boasts 565 kilometers in its all-wheel drive configuration.
For those seeking even more range, a top-tier variant retains the 530 horsepower of the Design model but is fitted with a larger 91.3 kWh battery, enabling a range of up to 502 kilometers. While this distance is reassuring for potential drivers, it still falls short of the Tesla’s Long Range RWD version, which can achieve 600 kilometers on a single charge.
Charging capabilities for the Sea Lion 7 are also noteworthy, requiring between 24 to 32 minutes to charge from 10% to 80% at a maximum power of 230 kW via direct current. For context, Tesla vehicles typically require around 20 to 30 minutes for the same level of charge. Notably, the BYD electric car is among the fastest to charge.
Standard features of the SUV include a heat pump designed to enhance efficiency during colder months, as well as bidirectional charging capabilities at 3.3 kW. However, it remains unclear whether the car will come equipped with autonomous driving technology.
Inside, the Sea Lion 7 boasts a substantial 15.6-inch touchscreen, although compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto has yet to be confirmed by BYD. Additionally, it features a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and offers impressive trunk space ranging from 520 to 1789 liters.
The first deliveries of the BYD Sea Lion 7 are anticipated next year in the UK, with a similar timeline expected for France. The price is projected to be around 45,000 euros, although the vehicle will not qualify for the ecological bonus in this market.