BYD is already setting the Seal up as a Tesla Model 3 rival in China but we could see it in Europe before too long as well

Chinese electric car brand BYD has shown-off a new Tesla Model 3 rival at the 2022 Paris Motor Show and we could be seeing the Seal for sale in the UK before too long.

The BYD Seal is a compact saloon that’s just gone on sale in China priced from just over £27,000. BYD has already revealed ambitious plans for expansion into Europe and has said that the Seal can be built in right-hand drive form, making an eventual appearance on the UK market more likely.

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The Seal is the production version of BYD’s Ocean X, a concept car unveiled in 2021. It’s an electric four-door with a sporty design flavour that’s underlined by the long curving roofline, sculpted front end and pronounced rear diffuser. Across the tailgate, the Build Your Dreams (BYD) brand name is spelt out in full.

The car is 4,800mm long, 1,875mm wide and 1,460mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,920mm. That’s longer and taller than a Tesla Model 3 but smaller than a Hyundai Ioniq 6 on both counts.

Under the skin is BYD’s ‘e-Platform 3.0’ hardware which sees the battery used as an integral part of the car’s structure to enhance rigidity and, in turn, driving dynamics. A choice of either 61.4kWh or 82.5kWh battery units is offered and these supply power to a 201bhp single motor powering the rear wheels or a motor on each axle for 523bhp and all-wheel drive – depending on your preference. 

Charging can be done at speeds of up to 150kW while Chinese efficiency tests have indicated a range of up to 342 miles for the BYD Seal with the smaller battery. The larger battery cars are rated at 435 miles.

The BYD model that we expect to see in the UK first is the Atto 3, a budget electric crossover that also rides on the brand’s e-Platform 3.0 technology and will rival Volkswagen’s ID.3 and the MG 4. The Seal will be positioned above the Atto 3 in terms of size, the later car measuring in at 4,455mm in length.   

Will BYD have rivals in a flap? Can the Seal be a Tesla killer in Europe? Have your say in the comments…

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