Remarkable changes have been introduced to the BYD Seal in its home market of China, including advanced electrical systems and enhanced autonomous driving features, though the updated model will see a reduction in range. The most outstanding upgrade is the transition from the previous 400V electrical system to an 800V architecture.
This new system improves the Seal’s charging efficiency, decreasing the time needed to charge from 10-80% from 37 minutes to just 25 minutes. Although BYD has not yet confirmed, it is expected that this change has increased the peak charging rate beyond the previous 150kW limit.
Reports suggest that the upgraded electrical system also supports enhanced adaptive dampers, promising better ride comfort and improved vehicle handling. Additionally, the Seal now offers an optional roof-mounted lidar sensor, which is expected to enhance its advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), particularly in adaptive cruise control and automated parking.
The updated model features two battery options: 61.44kWh and 80.64kWh, with the latter being smaller than the 82.5kWh battery available in the UK version. This downsizing reduces the range from 435 miles to 404 miles under the Chinese CLTC test cycle, a decrease of about 9%.
It is anticipated that the WLTP range might drop to around 320 miles from the current 354 miles. The reason for the reduction in battery size has not been disclosed. Powertrain options remain unchanged, offering either a single 308bhp motor on the rear axle or a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system delivering a combined 523bhp.
Inside, the Seal has been refreshed with a new steering wheel design, leather upholstery, a matte grey center console, and a streamlined dashboard without prominent air vents. BYD UK has indicated that this facelifted model will eventually reach the UK, though no specific timeline has been provided. The updated Seal is already available for purchase in China.