The BYD Seagull (Chinese: 比亚迪海鸥; pinyin: Bǐyǎdí Hǎi'ōu) is a battery electric city car manufactured by BYD Auto since 2023. Positioned below the Dolphin within BYD's line-up, it is currently the smallest BYD vehicle, occupying the A00-class in Chinese segmentation (equivalent to European A-segment).[5] It is part of the Ocean product line and marketed through "Ocean Network"-branded dealerships and stores. The car was made available in Brazil and some other South American markets in 2024 as the BYD Dolphin Mini.[6]
BYD Seagull | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Overview | |
Manufacturer | BYD Auto |
Also called | BYD Dolphin Mini (South America, except Colombia)[1] |
Production | 2023–present |
Assembly | China: Xi'an, Shaanxi; Changzhou, Jiangsu[2] |
Designer | Under the lead of Wolfgang Egger |
Body and chassis | |
Class | City car (A) |
Body style | 5-door hatchback |
Layout | Front-motor, front-wheel-drive |
Platform | e-Platform 3.0[3] |
Related | BYD Dolphin |
Powertrain | |
Electric motor | BYD TZ180XSH permanent magnet synchronous |
Power output | 55 kW (74 hp; 75 PS) |
Battery | |
Electric range |
|
Plug-in charging | |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 2,500 mm (98.4 in) |
Length | 3,780 mm (148.8 in) |
Width | 1,715 mm (67.5 in) |
Height | 1,540 mm (60.6 in) |
Kerb weight | 1,160–1,240 kg (2,557–2,734 lb) |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | BYD e1[4] |
Overview
editThe Seagull was introduced on 27 April 2023 in China. Unlike its 3-door rivals in the sub-100,000 yuan electric car segment, the Seagull features a 4-seat, 5-door configuration in a hatchback body style with a length of only 3,780 mm (148.8 in). According to Chinese publications, it is targeted towards younger customers seeking simpler means of transportation.[7]
The exterior design of the Seagull combines numerous sharp lines, angular shaped headlights, and a sloping roofline with rear lamps connected by a light bar.[8] Interior space utilization is prioritized by increasing the wheelbase-to-length ratio at 66 percent, higher than the BYD Dolphin at 64 percent, along with the use of the thinner blade battery.[9] In line with other BYD Ocean models, the dashboard design has a "wing" design depicting a seagull's wing with a two-tone design, and equipped with a rotatable 10.1-inch touch-screen infotainment system along with a 5-inch digital instrument cluster.[10][11]
The Seagull is equipped with six airbags, rear disc brakes, electronic parking brake, and electronic stability programme. Its body in white contains 61% of high-strength steel, and uses hot-forming with a tensile strength of over 1,500 MPa in key parts.[7]
Following its world premiere at Auto Shanghai in the second half of April 2023, BYD started delivering the Seagull in China.[10] Upon its release, BYD received 10,000 orders for the Seagull in 24 hours.[12] On 29 November 2023, the 200,000th Seagull rolled off the assembly line, only seven months after its introduction.[13] Due to its low selling price at below CN¥90,000 or US$12,000, the Seagull has also garnered curiosity and praise from international media and industry experts.[14][15][16][17]
In March 2024, BYD reduced the price of the Seagull by five percent in China with the release of the Seagull Honor Edition as the 2024 model year.[18] The Seagull Honor Edition introduced a new body colour option, Ice Blue, with a Sea Blue interior colour.[19]
-
Rear view
-
Interior
Specifications
editIn China, there are currently three trims offered: a base model called the "Vitality Edition" (活力版), a higher specification "Freedom Edition" (自由版), and a top-specification variant called the "Flying Edition" (飞翔版). All three models are powered by a single 55 kW (74 hp) synchronous motor with a top speed of 130 km/h (81 mph)[10] and a claimed 0–50 km/h acceleration of 4.9 seconds,[20] with an 0-100 km/h of 13 seconds.
Both the Vitality and Freedom models are built with a 30 kWh (110 MJ) LFP blade battery, enabling a cruise range of 305 km (190 mi) (CLTC); the Flying model sports a larger 38 kWh (140 MJ) battery pack and a range of approximately 405 km (252 mi) (CLTC). The battery can be recharged via an household AC power plug at 6.6 kW, or via a DC fast charger at 30 or 40 kW (depending on the model), during which it reportedly can be charged from 30% to 80% capacity in 30 minutes.
Powertrain
editBattery capacity | Production | Battery | Range (CLTC) | Power | Torque | 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) | Top speed | Drive |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
30.08 kWh | April 2023 – present | Lithium iron phosphate | 305 km (190 mi) | 55 kW (75 PS; 74 hp) | 135 N⋅m (100 lb⋅ft) | 13.0 s (0-100km/h = 14.4s measured) | 130 km/h (81 mph) | FWD |
38.88 kWh | Lithium iron phosphate (BYD blade) | 405 km (252 mi) | 55 kW (75 PS; 74 hp) | 135 N⋅m (100 lb⋅ft) |
Recall
editOn 30 April 2024, BYD issued a recall for 16,666 Seagull units in China due to reversing camera software failure. It affects units produced between 7 April 2023 and 31 May 2023. The recall will be conducted through an over-the-air (OTA) update.[21]
Sales
editYear | China |
---|---|
2023 | 239,270[22] |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Alvarez, Santiago (16 April 2024). "Nuevo BYD Seagull en Colombia, el city car eléctrico que llega a revolucionar el mercado" [New BYD Seagull in Colombia, the electric city car that will revolutionize the market]. autosdeprimera.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ "All about BYD". MarkLines Automotive Industry Portal. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
- ^ Kuhudzai, Remeredzai Joseph (29 April 2023). "BYD Unleashes The Seagull In China — And It's Cheaper Than A Petrol-Powered Honda Fit!". CleanTechnica. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
- ^ "比亚迪海鸥更多信息曝光,或8万元起售,还会是爆款吗?". www.sohu.com. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ^ "比亚迪海鸥就是纯电动小车界的"黑马"" [BYD Seagull is the "dark horse" in the pure electric car industry]. www.sohu.com. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "BYD Seagull será lançado no Brasil como Dolphin Mini por cerca de R$ 100.000". Quatro Rodas (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 11 December 2023.
- ^ a b "比亚迪海鸥正式上市!海洋系列又添新成员!" [BYD Seagull officially launched! The ocean series has a new member!]. Sohu. 27 April 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "BYD revealed official pictures of the $11,600 Seagull EV. To launch on April 18, possibly with a sodium-ion battery". CarNewsChina. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
- ^ "「银翼杀手」比亚迪海鸥上市,杀向五菱,最痛却是飞度" ["Blade Runner" BYD Seagull is launched, killing Wuling, but the most painful thing is Fit]. 爱范儿 (in Chinese (China)). 27 April 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ a b c "BYD Seagull interior revealed ahead of April 18 launch". CarNewsChina. 12 April 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
- ^ "售价7.38万元起 比亚迪海鸥正式上市-手机新浪汽车" [BYD Seagull officially launched with price starting from 73,800 yuan]. auto.sina.cn. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ Jin, Qian (19 April 2023). "BYD Seagull electric hatchback got 10,000 orders in 24 hours". CarNewsChina.com. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ^ Jin, Qian (29 November 2023). "The 200,000th BYD Seagull rolled off the assembly line". CarNewsChina.com. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ^ "Small, well-built Chinese EV called the Seagull poses a big threat to the US auto industry". AP News. 13 May 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
- ^ Williams, Kevin (27 February 2024). "American Test Of $11,500 BYD Seagull: 'This Doesn't Come Across Cheap'". InsideEVs. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
- ^ Wayland, Michael (22 March 2024). "Why a small China-made EV has global auto execs and politicians on edge". CNBC. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
- ^ Hall, Casey (19 April 2023). "Shanghai auto show crowds flock to BYD's Seagull". Reuters. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
- ^ Wayland, Michael (22 March 2024). "Why a small China-made EV has global auto execs and politicians on edge". CNBC. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ Leung, Adrian (6 March 2024). "2024 BYD Dolphin Mini (Seagull) starts at 9,700 USD in China". CarNewsChina.com. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "小型车市场搅局者?动态试驾比亚迪海鸥" [A disruptor in the small car market? Dynamic test drive BYD Seagull]. Xchuxing. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "【图】倒车影像故障 比亚迪召回16666台海鸥_汽车之家" [BYD recalls 16,666 Seagull units due to reversing camera failure]. www.autohome.com.cn. 30 April 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ "【易车销量榜】全国2023年比亚迪零售量销量榜-易车榜-易车". car.yiche.com. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
External links
edit- Official website (China)