Hot off the presses of the M6 launch last month, BYD Malaysia has now taken to its social media pages to tease another car launch this month, as it gears up to a strong finish to the year. Based on the image in the teaser, the launch will undoubtedly be for one of the BYD Sealion models – the question is, which one?
The tagline, reading “performance SUV with premium styling”, certainly doesn’t help here as both models in the BYD Sealion family, the Sealion 6 and Sealion 7, are both premium-looking SUVs. The main difference between the two is their powertrain: the former being a plugin-hybrid (PHEV) model, while the latter a fully electric (EV) coupe-SUV.
Given that the BYD Sealion 6 has already been launched in Thailand, it does seem like the most logical answer. Sized a little bigger than the GWM Haval H6 HEV, the Sealion 6 is powered by BYD’s DM-i plug-in hybrid system that combines a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated inline-four engine with a front-mounted electric motor for a total system output of 217 hp and 300 Nm.
This setup enables a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 8.5 seconds. With its 18.3 kWh Blade battery and a 60-litre fuel tank, the BYD Sealion 6 also boasts a theoretical range of 1,092 km with a full tank of fuel and full battery, based on the NEDC test cycle.
The Thai-spec Sealion 6 boasts an array of features, including LED lights, 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and keyless entry with an NFC electronic key system. Inside, it offers an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, a 12.6-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 15.6-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and voice commands – all befitting the “premium styling” tagline BYD Malaysia has been teasing on its social media platforms.
But even though BYD Malaysia has previously indicated that it is planning to introduce PHEV models here in Malaysia, the lack of tax incentives for hybrids – or rather, the fact that the expiring tax breaks for fully imported EVs – could incentivise the company to instead push for the fully-electric Sealion 7 instead, which would be making its ASEAN debut in that case.
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The BYD Sealion 7 is the brand’s latest fully electric model in its revamped Ocean Series line-up, designed to compete against the Tesla Model Y. In its export form in Hong Kong, the BYD Sealion 7 is offered with two different electric powertrains: a 313 hp and 380 Nm RWD variant, or a 530 hp and 690 Nm AWD variant.
Both variants utilise an 82.56 kWh Blade battery, offering a maximum claimed NEDC range of 567 km for the RWD, and 542 km for the AWD models. However, due to its use of the older e-Platform 3.0 architecture instead of the newer Evo variant, DC fast charging on the Hong Kong-spec model is limited to 150 kW, instead of the 230 kW available in China and Europe.
The tax exemption on fully imported EVs is set to expire by the end of 2025, so it’s possible that BYD Malaysia would want to focus on the Sealion 7 EV first, taking full advantage of the tax breaks as it attempts to challenge for the market leader position within the EV segment.
So will it be the BYD Sealion 6 or 7? Well, our guess is as good as yours – BYD Malaysia could still surprise us, as the decision is only privy to those within the boardroom. Judging by the teasers, though, it appears we won’t have to wait too much longer to find out!
RELATED: BYD Sealion 6 DM-i PHEV launched in Thailand, from approx. RM119k
