BYD launches the Sea Lion, its deadly weapon against Tesla
- Published on 19/07/2024 11:01
- Modified on 24/09/2025 23:11
With a modern and unique design, the BYD Sea Lion 07 stands out from the very mainstream approach of the Tesla Model Y.
The battle of the giants is reaching new heights. From Europe, it may not be obvious, but BYD and Tesla are engaged in a commercial tug-of-war for the title of global leader in electric vehicles.
BYD has officially launched the much-anticipated Sea Lion, a mid-size SUV measuring 4,830 mm in length, 1,925 mm in width, and 1,620 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,930 mm. It is built on the new 3.0 Evo electronic platform from the Chinese manufacturer and incorporates the design language of the BYD Seal with a nice touch of sportiness. The front and rear faces feature nearly identical optics to the BYD Seal, but the vehicle adopts retractable door handles and a generous rear spoiler that modernize its overall very successful profile.
The new 3.0 Evo platform benefits from CTB (Cell-to-Body Battery) technology, where the in-house battery pack becomes a structural element of the chassis. According to the manufacturer, this improves front collision safety by 60%, occupant compartment deformation resistance by 50%, and body integrity by more than 60% compared to standards.
A Concentrate of BYD’s Expertise
The 12-in-1 powertrain, another BYD signature, features the fastest production motor in the world, capable of running at 23,000 rpm with a top speed of 225 km/h.
The new vehicle is equipped with three powertrain configurations. The two-wheel-drive models feature a single electric motor with a power output of 170 kW, offering two ranges of 550 or 610 km, and a 230 kW long-range variant. The all-wheel-drive model has two motors of 160 kW and 230 kW for a range of 550 km. However, be cautious with these range figures, as Chinese standards are much less strict compared to their WLTP counterparts in Europe. A small reduction of 20% is not unreasonable, placing the Sea Lion far behind the Model Y. There’s no denying it, Tesla remains a step ahead of the competition! However, BYD’s technology allows the Sea Lion to charge from 10 to 80% in just 25 minutes.
The prices are once again completely crazy for such a car. We share them with you, but unfortunately, do not dream of finding them as such in Europe. A small X1.5 factor will give you an idea of what we might expect in France.
- 550 Standard: 189,800 yuan / 24,500 euros
- 610 Long Range: 199,800 yuan / 25,650 euros
- 610 Smart: 219,800 yuan / 28,200 euros
- 550 4WD Smart: 239,800 yuan / 30,800 euros
The Technology to Counter Tesla
So there’s the look, which is very important, the range, even more so, the pricing, decisive, and the onboard technology to make the difference. The Sea Lion is equipped with the ADAS DiPilot 100 “God’s Eye,” which incorporates 12 ultrasonic radars, millimeter-wave radars, and 11 cameras. Features include lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, and intelligent speed control. But most importantly, the Sea Lion has potential for autonomy! And of course, it features the large rotating central screen.
With its competitive prices and new advanced features, the BYD Sea Lion aims to challenge the Tesla Model Y, the best-selling model in the Chinese market before taking on the rest of the world. Will it succeed? Honestly, no other model seems better equipped for that!
This page is translated from the original post "BYD lance le Sea Lion, son arme fatale anti Tesla" in French.
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