BYD Introduces Sealion 08 with 900 km Range

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chinese automaker BYD has introduced a luxurious three-row SUV to compete with premium brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz. According to a report from Drive on Wednesday local time, this SUV, which measures over 5.1 metres in length, is claimed to have a range of up to 900 km based on CLTC standards. The Sealion 08 is positioned as the flagship model in the Ocean Series family. Features typically found in premium vehicles, such as air suspension and rear-wheel steering, are available, even though BYD’s Ocean Series is generally positioned below the more expensive Dynasty series. BYD has not officially announced the battery capacity, but Chinese media estimate that the vehicle uses a battery with around 130.5 kWh capacity. The flagship variant with all-wheel drive (AWD) and dual motors produces a combined power output of up to 480 kW, though the 0-100 km/h acceleration is claimed to be 4.9 seconds. In terms of design, the Sealion 08 adopts the Ocean Aesthetics 2.0 design language, developed under the direction of former Audi designer Wolfgang Egger. This clean design camouflages the vehicle’s large dimensions, with a length of 5,115 mm and a wheelbase of 3,030 mm, which is about 40 mm shorter than the Kia Carnival and a wheelbase 60 mm shorter. Although not showcased at its debut at the Beijing Motor Show, a plug-in hybrid version is expected to follow later. After its launch in China this year, the Sealion 08 is projected to be introduced to global markets.