BYD has expanded its presence in Ireland with the arrival of their fifth model in two years – the new mid-size BYD Sealion 7 SUV, in a choice of three fully electric powered models. Entry to the BYD Sealion 7 range begins with a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive ‘Comfort’ edition, followed by two all-wheel-drive models: ‘Design’ and ‘Excellence’, each fitted with a rich selection of all-inclusive standard specifications. Prices begin from €45,435 for the entry-level Comfort model.
Head-turner
Produced in BYD’s stylish ‘Ocean Series’ design language, the Sealion 7 is 160mm taller and 30mm longer than its BYD Seal stablemate. This new BYD Sealion 7 is 4,830 mm long, and with its generous 2,930 mm wheelbase. Its long, rounded roof and sleek, flowing lines carry through from front to back, punctuated by a subtle spoiler and full-width rear lights arrangement. Wheels are 19” and 20” depending on trimline. Luggage capacity is 520 litres increasing to 1,789 litres, with an additional 58-litres ‘frunk’ and 20 plus cabin storage spaces. The car is built on BYD’s e-Platform 3.0 flat floor.
Inside, high-quality, premium materials and finishes are used throughout, with all versions equipped with a generous range of standard-equipment and safety features that include front and rear parking sensors, 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition and intelligent speed-limit control, amongst others. Prominent is a 15.6-inch rotating infotainment and driver assistance screen, featuring BYD’s latest software which shows a full 3D rendering of the car, allowing passengers to activate items such as windows and doors on visual cues.
Comforts include ventilated and heated front seats, and rear seats padded, angled, and optimised to minimise fatigue on long journeys. Other features include a four-way adjustable steering wheel, and a driver’s seat electrically adjustable in eight directions with four-way power-adjustable lumbar support. Double-layered laminated glass in front doors and privacy glass in the rear is optimised for sound and heat insulation. A large panoramic sunroof delivers natural light to the interior, while an electric blind provides shade and comfort on warmer days.
In addition to radio, phone, entertainment and online connectivity, other enhancements include support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while the ‘Hi BYD’ voice control enables occupants to regulate cabin temperature and interact with in-car entertainment and navigation systems.
The BYD Sealion 7 has acceleration figures of 0-100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds, for the Excellence model, whilst four operating modes – Eco, Normal, Sport, and Snow – accommodate a variety of driving preferences.
Blade Battery
Like its predecessors, the Sealion 7 is powered by BYD’s own, in-house developed 82.5kWh cobalt free Blade Battery, with Comfort and Design versions offering ranges of 482km and 456km (WLTP) respectively and a charging time of 10% to 80% in 32 minutes. The Excellence version with its larger 91.3kWh battery and 502km (WLTP) range, can be charged from 10% to 80% in 24 minutes. All versions of the Sealion 7 get 11kW three-phase AC charging as standard.
BYD Sealion 7’s Cell-to-Body (CTB) battery installation integrates the Blade Battery into the vehicle structure – a unique design which, amongst other attributes, is safer and helps deliver added handling rigidity and more interior space. Additional beneficial features include a high-efficiency heat pump system which regulates the battery temperature, controls the passenger compartment temperature, and absorbs waste heat from the electric powertrain to help maximise range, particularly in cold conditions.
A six-year manufacturer’s warranty and an eight-year battery and electric motor warranty applies to all BYD Sealion 7 models.
