BYD is gunning for the electric vehicle sales crown and this time, it has set its sights on what we’re calling the ‘entry-luxury’ sedan space with the Tesla Model 3 as its main competitor. The brand has lofty ambitions to capture a larger market share in this competitive segment with its third offering for the Australian market coming in at an aggressive price of AUD$49,888 plus on-road costs for the Seal in Dynamic trim.
The brand will offer two more variants with pricing equally as aggressive:
- RWD Dynamic – AUD$49,888 plus on-road costs
- RWD Premium – AUD$58,798 plus on-road costs
- AWD Performance – AUD$68,748 plus on-road costs
We think the AWD Performance variant promises maximum bang for the buck with its 390kW and 670Nm dual-motor set-up, undercutting the Model 3 Performance (AUD$83,400) by AUD$15,000. The story continues with the base model too, where compared with the Model 3 it undercuts the Tesla by AUD$12,000.
RELATED: 2024 Tesla Model 3 Revealed With More Range and Tech.
It’s also larger than the Tesla with a length of 4800mm and a 2920mm wheelbase. The luggage capacity is 400 litres while there’s also a 53-litre ‘frunk’ thrown in under the bonnet. Standard equipment is generous too with a rotating 15.6-inch touchscreen, LED lighting, dual-zone climate control, powered and ventilated front seats, plus advanced safety features. Top-spec grades get a head-up display, leather trim and heated doors/mirrors.
If we’re talking range, the base spec Dynamic has a claimed figure of 460km with a 150kW/310Nm electric motor. Higher up, the Premium gets upgraded to an 82.56kWh battery pack which translates to a claimed WLTP range of 570km with 230kW/360Nm. This is the most efficient iteration of the Seal since the top-end Performance variant has a lower range figure of 520km, considerably less than the Long-Range version of the Model 3 which has 629km.
After several delays, deliveries of this swoopy electric sedan will start from December in Australia and it will be interesting to see how it fares against not just the Tesla Model 3 but other EV contemporaries like the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and the Polestar 2.
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