BYD Sealion 08 SUV Opens Blind Orders in China From $34,100

BYD has opened blind orders for the Sealion 08, its flagship SUV, Zhang Zhuo, general manager of BYD’s Ocean Series sales division, announced on Aug. 13.

According to BYD Ocean’s official mini program, the Sealion 08 DM-i plug-in hybrid is priced at RMB 230,000-260,000 ($34,100-$38,550), while Sealion 08 EV is priced at RMB 250,000-280,000 ($37,070-$41,520).

The Sealion 08 made its debut at the Beijing Auto Show in April this year, with the new model positioned as a midsize-to-large SUV.

Regulatory filings show that the vehicle measures 5,115 mm in length, 1,999 mm in width and 1,800 mm in height, with a 3,030-mm wheelbase, available in five- and six-seat configurations.

Sealion 08 EV will offer single- and dual-motor configurations, along with BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery and Flash Charging technology.

Battery capacities include 92 kWh and 115 kWh, with maximum CLTC ranges of 710 km, 800 km and 900 km, depending on configuration.

The DM-i version will use BYD’s fifth-generation DM hybrid technology and will also be offered with single- and dual-motor configurations.

It will feature a 55-kWh battery and deliver a WLTC-rated electric-only range of 275 km or 300 km.

One of the biggest changes is that BYD has made air suspension and rear-wheel steering standard across the entire lineup, giving even the entry-level version a more comprehensive high-end chassis setup.

The new SUV will also come standard with BYD’s DiSus-A intelligent body control system, dual-chamber air suspension and a road-preview system.

For driver assistance, the Sealion 08 will feature a roof-mounted lidar sensor and BYD’s DiPilot 5.0 advanced driver-assistance system.

It supports functions including urban road assistance, highway navigation assistance and automated parking.

Previously released images of the six-seat version showed a floating central display up front, independent zero-gravity seats in the second row and an overhead screen, giving the cabin a clear focus on family use.

The Sealion 08 also comes as BYD’s Sealion lineup has been gaining sales momentum. BYD reported that the Ocean Series sold 175,421 vehicles in July.

The Sealion family accounted for 49,057 units of those sales in July, taking its cumulative sales for the first seven months to 227,415 units.

Existing Sealion models have become a major contributor to Ocean Series sales.

With the addition of the Sealion 08, BYD is completing the product ladder for the Sealion family, building an SUV lineup spanning the compact to midsize-to-large segments through the Sealion 05, 06, 07 and 08.