2024 BYD Sealion 6: New name confirmed for Outlander PHEV rival

BYD’s next model to launch in Australia has a new name – say hello to the 2024 BYD Sealion 6.

Set to take on the likes of the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV and MG HS +EV, the Sealion 6 is a mid-sized plug-in hybrid SUV that is expected to launch in Australia in the coming weeks.

Formerly known as the Seal U – and known as the Song Plus in China – the Sealion 6 slots into a new ocean-themed nameplate line which debuted with the Sea Lion 07 electric SUV at last year’s Guangzhou motor show.

Update, 10/5/2024 – BYD Australia has supplied some official Sealion 6 exterior imagery. The original version of this article also stated the electric version of the Seal U was coming to Europe later this year, but it’s already on sale – these changes are now reflected in the article.

The Sealion 6 is expected to be fully detailed on May 16. CarExpert has been invited to attend a media event where the brand has confirmed it will launch its ‘Super-Hybrid’ technology – BYD’s branding for its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) products.

A recent Australian Government filing confirms two variants will be offered: Dynamic and Premium. According to the approval documents, the Dynamic will feature a 72kW internal-combustion engine and a 145kW front-mounted electric motor, for a total system output of 160kW.

The Premium will feature a 96kW internal-combustion engine, a 150kW front electric motor and a 120kW rear electric motor, for a total system output of 238kW.

These documents don’t detail all the Sealion 6’s specifications, but we know globally it will offer a choice of 18.3kWh and 26.6kWh batteries, offering between 110km and 150km of range under the more lenient NEDC cycle.

An electric version of the SUV was released in Europe in January 2024, which quotes up to to 500 kilometres of driving range on the WLTP cycle from its 87kWh LFP battery pack.

Neither BYD nor its local distributor have confirmed if or when the Seal U EV might make it to local showrooms, though it’s understood to be on the wish list to sit above the Atto 3 and serve as a proper Tesla Model Y competitor.

Stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest

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