BYD Seal 2022: photos, power, weight and size leaked online ahead of December release date

Images and key details of the BYD Seal have been published online by the Chinese government vehicle regulator ahead of the sedan’s official reveal and Australian release date, pegged for December 2022.

While BYD’s comfort-focused sedan is called the Seal in China, it is possible that it will be badged the Atto 4 in Australia. Local importer BYD Direct is understood to prefer Atto series branding rather than BYD’s China-specific badges: the Atto 3 midsize SUV that launches in Australia in mid-2022 is called the Yuan Plus overseas.

The Seal will be released in Australia around the same time as the BYD Dolphin small hatchback that is likely to be called the Atto 2 when launched locally alongside the Seal in December 2022.

Single and dual-motor variants available

Data published by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on March 14 details specifications for the 2023 BYD Seal.

We now understand that the Seal will be offered in single-motor and dual-motor versions. Single-motor Seals will be available (in China, at least) with a choice of 150kW or 230kW with rear-wheel drive (RWD), while the performance-orientated dual-motor model pairs the 230kW rear motor to a 160kW front motor for a theoretical combined output of 390kW – roughly equivalent to a BMW M3 sedan or a Tesla Model 3 Performance.

The Chinese government database quotes a mass of between 1885kg and 2150kg depending on grade and battery size.

It is likely that different battery sizes will be available for the Seal with a shorter-range version possibly offering about 400km of range and a larger battery providing about 600km of autonomy.

Comfort-focussed Seal will sit alongside Han sports car

Expected to sit on BYD’s newly-developed 3.0 electric vehicle architecture, the Seal measures 4800mm in length and 1875mm in width, making it 106mm longer but 58mm thinner than its Tesla Model 3 rival – and about the same size as a Toyota Camry.

BYD local importer EV Direct has told Chasing Cars that the Seal will ride a little higher than most sedans to provide the suspension with longer travel, while the upcoming 2023 BYD Han sports sedan will ride closer to the ground.

BYD’s rugged intentions are exacerbated further with styling cues such as the contrasting grey front lip, rear diffuser and side skirts working as well as the inclusion of chunky tyres.

The headlight design is also different to that of BYD’s Han sedan, with the lower daytime running light design bearing a resemblance to that of the Renault Koleos midsize SUV. 

Designers have emboldened the ‘Build Your Dream’ name across the rear boot, a styling cue that EV Direct CEO Luke Todd has previously told Chasing Cars will be displayed on all Australian-delivered vehicles.

No images or details have been shared of the inside of the Seal but that will likely be revealed during the official reveal in the coming months.