BYD Official Prices and Specs - Three Exciting New Models for South Africa

Despite having a substantial local presence for a number of months, BYD has been slow to roll out its products, but that's changing with the launch of several BYD Ocean Series models. Today marks the launch of the Sealion 6 hybrid, Sealion 7 EV, and the highly anticipated Shark 6 hybrid double-cab utility vehicle. This is what we know about the specifications and, more importantly, the official pricing of these exciting new models as supplied by BYD South Africa.

Related: BYD Atto 3 Extended (2024) Video Review

Renowned across the globe for their electric vehicles, BYD is also one of the largest EV battery manufacturers in the world, with their innovative, durable, and safe Blade battery being found in a variety of passenger, commercial, and rail vehicles. The brand is hoping to build its presence in South Africa and as it stands, order books are filling up fast.

Sealion 6 Hybrid

The Sealion 6 crossover SUV is a petrol-electric hybrid available in front-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations. It will be available in three distinct trims: Comfort, Dynamic, and Premium. The Comfort and Dynamic sport the single-motor front-wheel drive configuration, and the Premium is the only trim sporting the dual-motor AWD layout.

Customers can choose from 4 exterior colours, and Premium trim customers can choose between full-black or a brown-and-black combination of synthetic leather upholstery for the interior. All models feature LED headlights, taillights, and a panoramic sunroof, along with electric seats draped in synthetic leather. Complementing the trimmings is a 15.6-inch rotating infotainment screen and audio system that consists of either a 6-speaker Dirac or 10-speaker Infinity audio system. All models support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Comprehensive safety systems are standard across the range, with 7 airbags and a host of advanced driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and automatic collision avoidance braking. 

Powering the Sealion 6 is a 1.5-litre petrol engine, either with or without a turbocharger, depending on trim level. Front-wheel drive Comfort and Dynamic models are equipped with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine that produces 72 kW and 122 Nm torque, supplemented by a 145 kW and 300 kW permanent magnet synchronous electric motor for a total power output of 160 kW and 300 Nm. This makes the Sealion 6 good for sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in only 8.5 seconds.

The claimed fuel consumption for Comfort and Dynamic variants is touted to be 4.8 L/100km (SOC <25% WLTP), with an EV range of 80 km (SOC from 100% - 25% WLTP).

The Sealion 6 Premium AWD utilizes a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine that produces 96 kW and 220 Nm torque and is supplemented by two permanent magnet synchronous motors. The front motor produces 150 kW and 300 Nm, while the rear motor produces 120 kW and 250 Nm. This gives a combined total power output of 238 kW and 55 Nm torque, allowing the Premium AWD to hit the 100 km/h mark from a standstill in only 5.9 seconds.

You can expect a combined cycle fuel consumption of 5.8 L/100km (SOC <25% WLTP) and an electric-only range of 70 km (SOC from 100% - 25% WLTP).

All Sealion 6 models have an 18.3 kWh battery system and accept AC and DC charging.

Sealion 7 EV

The Sealion 7 is a fully electric Crossover SUV with sporty proportions and performance to match. It is similarly styled to the Sealion 6 and fits in with the design language of the rest of the Ocean Series. Two variants are on offer at launch: the front-wheel drive Premium and the all-wheel drive Performance. Both offer blistering performance and a high level of refinement.

Both variants offer a high standard of luxury and equipment with both sporting panoramic sunroofs, electric tailgates, a 10.25-inch driver display, a rotating 15.6-inch infotainment system with a 12-speaker Dynaudio audio system, and ambient lighting. Space is generous, too, with a 500-litre boot in the rear and a 58-litre storage compartment up front. Premium models get synthetic leather upholstery and 19-inch wheels, while the Performance models get Nappa leather, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a heads-up display.

They're equipped with an 82.56 kWh LFP Blade battery that can accept an 11 kW AC charge and a 150 kW DC charge. Both are limited to a top speed of 215 km/h. The Premium model will sprint from a standstill to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, while the same sprint is accomplished in only 4.5 seconds in the Performance version. This gives the Premium a range of 482 km, with the Performance version sporting a 456 km range.

BYD Shark 6

The one that's got everyone talking, the BYD Shark 6 double cab is a plug-in hybrid energy vehicle (PHEV) with striking, modern looks and performance to match. With its bold, American truck styling and liberal use of LED lighting elements, it strikes an imposing but captivating presence on the roads.

It's powered by a petrol engine that may be much smaller than we're accustomed to seeing in such a large vehicle. The 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol unit develops 135 kW and an agreeable 260 Nm torque. Still, it is then complemented by a motor at either axle, the front developing 170 kW and 310 Nm with the rear producing 150 kW and 340 Nm. They all work together to offer a final power output of 321 kW and 650 Nm, allowing the Shark 6 to sprint to 100 km/h from a standstill in only 5.7 seconds.

The Shark 6 is fitted with a 29.58 kWh BYD Blade battery that offers a pure-electric range of 85 km. When the battery is between 25 and 100% charged, the Shark 6 achieves a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 2.0 L/100km, giving it a range of 650 km.

With motors at each axle, the Shark 6 is an AWD with an approach angle of 31 degrees, a break-over angle of 17 degrees, and a departure angle of 19.3 degrees. It has a wading depth of 700 mm and a ground clearance of 230 mm. While we're yet to hear about the load rating, BYD tells us the bin is 1 200-litre big and that the Shark 6 can tow 2 500 kg braked and 750 kg unbraked.

South Africa will only be getting the Premium trim to start with. This model is kitted out with 18-inch alloy wheels, synthetic leather upholstery, a 15.6-inch rotating infotainment screen, a 12-speaker Dynaudio audio system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a Heads-Up Display, and heated and ventilated seats, to name a few.

Safety is also a high priority with 7 airbags, dual-stage pre-tensioner seatbelts, the standard array of ABS, EBD, ESC, and TCS, and a comprehensive advanced driver assistance system that includes, amongst others, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, and front cross-traffic brake.

We've had the chance to test drive the Shark 6 Double Cab; see what Lawrence Minnie has to say about it in his First Drive Review, premiering 4 April at 16:00, only on our YouTube Channel.