BYD Just Made A 1,031-Mile Luxury Sedan For Under $30,000

New Energy Experts

When it comes to New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), we have to face the fact that China is leading the charge (pun intended) on that front. Most, if not all, of the Chinese automakers' vehicle lineups consist of EVs, HEVs, PHEVs, and all the abbreviations associated with those types of cars.

BYD is at the very tip of that segment, considered the Number 1 battery electric brand in the world. The push to stay on top never ends, and one thing that keeps BYD there is value for money mixed with the push of new technology, as evidenced by its newest flagship sedan.

BYD Seal 08

BYD's model lineup is vast (without even considering the other sub-brands), but it distinguishes between the Dynasty and Ocean series. The car in question is the Seal 08, which obviously falls under the Ocean model family. CarNewsChina reports that the Seal 08 is a mid-to-large luxury sedan, probably putting it in the size category of a Camry/ES.

Befitting a flagship model, BYD has loaded it with tech. It features a mix of powertrain layouts, from two-wheel drive to all-wheel drive. Propulsion options are also varied; it can be had as a plug-in hybrid or a full EV. Battery technology seems to be improving for BYD because, in its plug-in-hybrid form, the Seal 08 has a full EV range of 248 miles and a combined range of 1,031 miles. Even the pure EV has substantial range; the dual-motor option has 487 miles, while the two-wheel can go a whopping 562 miles on a single charge.

Non-Premium Pricing

The BYD Seal 08 also comes with a boatload of premium features, including BYD's patented air suspension (DiSus), which can scan the road ahead and adjust the ride before the tires touch that surface. It also has rear-wheel steering to enable better maneuverability for this massive sedan. Creature comforts are aplenty, with dual zero-gravity front seats featuring ventilation and massage functions, plus a 15.6-inch infotainment screen paired with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster.

The most remarkable thing about the BYD Seal 08 has to be its value for money; it comes in six variants, with prices starting at $28,980 (converted) and topping out at $35,300. Sales and deliveries have just begun in China, with high expectations for the sales performance. Well, given the tech and price, we shouldn't be surprised.

View the full article