BYD Seal 6 DM-i Touring
BYD, the world's leading manufacturer of new-energy vehicles, has revolutionised the family SUV market with its SEAL U DM-i - and now that car's game-changing Super Hybrid technology is being made available in a sedan and a wagon. Called SEAL 6 DM-i and SEAL 6 DM-i Touring, the two new models will bring long-distance flexibility and an EV driving experience to thousands of new customers across Europe.
With a comfortable, spacious cabin packed with BYD's trademark innovative technologies, and colossal real-world electric and combined range from its cutting-edge Super Hybrid with DM Technology, the BYD SEAL 6 DM-i is a perfect choice for both business and private customers who want the response, refinement and sustainability of an electric car, while avoiding any range anxiety through the back-up of an ultra-efficient petrol hybrid system.
The sedan maximises range and minimises fuel consumption with its slippery shape, delivering up to 1505km of combined range on a full charge and a full tank. But it still offers space for five adults and their luggage. The practicality-focused SEAL 6 DM-i Touring, BYD's first estate model in Europe, offers up to 1535 litres of boot capacity when the rear seats are folded down, yet still has 1350km of combined range, making it a supremely capable long-distance load carrier.
In addition to excellent pure-electric range of as much as 105km, Super Hybrid with DM Technology brings additional benefits such as Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), which enhances owners' active lifestyles by powering external devices on the move. Features like this set the SEAL 6 DM-i sedan and SEAL 6 DM-i Touring apart in their respective classes and make them appealing alternatives to not only plug-in hybrid rivals but also conventional ICE models.
Factor in typically generous levels of standard equipment - including the largest touchscreens in the class and metallic paint, plus a panoramic sunroof on most models - and the SEAL 6 DM-i stands out as a bold, big-value offering that mixes BYD's technologically advanced powertrain with body styles popular across many European countries. The new arrivals are proof of how the global NEV leader is adapting its model line-up to key regions and markets.
Inspired by the ocean, the design of the BYD SEAL 6 DM-i, in both sedan and Touring form, blends natural shapes with crisp, sharp lines for an overall look that is sporty and dynamic, while making a major contribution to the cars' incredible efficiency.
The BYD SEAL 6 DM-i sedan measures 4840mm long, 1875mm wide and 1495mm high, putting it firmly in the category of family-sized models, and has a generous wheelbase of 2790mm that's longer than any C-segment saloon rivals. The SEAL 6 DM-i has comfortable space for five adults, including excellent rear legroom and headroom. Its load space is more than capable of accommodating large suitcases or shopping bags, with a capacity of 491 litres, rising to 1370 litres when the 40:60-split rear seat is folded down.
The wave-inspired front grille has a clean, minimalist design, and it incorporates an active air-intake system that boosts that aero efficiency. The bold inverted trapezoidal lower grille is accented with chrome detailing and body-coloured surrounds, creating a distinctive, sophisticated presence. The BYD SEAL 6 DM-i's 'face' is completed by crystal-inspired headlights that feature full-LED technology on all versions of the car and reflect the shimmer of ocean waves in a unique signature.
Along the sides, sculpted dual waistlines accent the SEAL 6 DM-i's sleek profile and agile silhouette, aided by 18-inch 'flying axe' alloy wheels that enhance the feeling of speed and precision, hinting at the car's strong performance even when it is stationary.
At the rear, the BYD SEAL 6 DM-i's tail-lights feature high-grade smoked finishes and layered, complex LED-matrix sequences that are designed to create a flowing visual motion.
The combi version of the car, the SEAL 6 DM-i Touring, is precisely the same length and width as its sedan sibling, but marginally taller, at 1505mm. It features the same wheelbase too, giving it greater cabin space than you'll find in many rival estates. When combined with Super Hybrid with DM Technology, this creates a standout model in the class, capable and practical while also allowing daily pure-electric use and the flexibility of colossal real-world combined range.
The core design elements at the front remain the same as the sedan's, while the side profile combines the double waistline with a gently sloping rear roofline and a contrast finish in the D-pillar that creates a 'floating' effect. The overall look mixes practical references, including standard aluminium roof rails, with an agile appearance.
The rear features the same complex LED-matrix tail-lights, along with an integrated washer/wiper designed to maintain visibility during longer journeys. The overall drag coefficient of the BYD SEAL 6 DM-i Touring is just 0.280, an impressively low figure for an estate and a contributing factor in its groundbreaking efficiency.
BYD's first wagon in Europe has a sizeable and flexible load space. There's 500 litres of capacity behind the rear seats, up to the level of the parcel shelf, and 675 litres if you load beyond it. And with the 40:60-split second row folded down, the ultimate boot capacity is an impressive 1535 litres. Accessing the SEAL 6 DM-i Touring's load bay is easy, too, thanks to a powered tailgate, standard on all versions, that can be remotely activated via the key fob.
The SEAL 6 DM-i and SEAL 6 DM-i Touring both feature styling that blends crisp lines with a sleek shape to maximise the efficiency benefits of the Super Hybrid powertrain.
Space meets comfort in the BYD SEAL 6 DM-i's cabin, which mixes a sophisticated design with high-quality materials and, of course, BYD's usual innovative technologies.
The dashboard continues the ocean-inspired design theme of the exterior, with smooth, flowing lines that extend across the front of the cabin to the door panels. This wraparound design creates a premium finish and an atmosphere that blends space efficiency with comfort. The ambience is enhanced further in Comfort Lite and Comfort versions by multi-colour ambient lighting that can also react to the rhythm of music playing on their eight-speaker sound system.
At the heart of the dashboard is a high-resolution infotainment screen (12.8 inches or 15.6 inches, depending on trim level) and it's easy for everyone in the cabin to stay connected and powered up, with a pair of USB ports (one 18W Type C, one 60W Type C) in the front cabin and two more 18W Type C sockets in the rear. A 50W wireless charging pad for smartphones is also standard on most versions.
All versions of the SEAL 6 DM-i feature vegan-leather upholstery throughout - a premium finish that remains durable and easy to clean. The front seats feature adjustable headrests and boast power adjustment, position memory, ventilation and heating functions to offer both support and comfort. Those in the front cabin have a centre armrest with a pair of integrated cup holders.
The rear cabin, meanwhile, has levels of space that rival those from models in the class above, making every seat a personal comfort zone. All of the seats are wrapped in premium textured vegan leather for a cushioned, refined look that remains durable in everyday use. And the centre seat back folds forward to create a centre armrest - again, with a pair of built-in cup holders.
Comfort Lite and Comfort versions of the BYD SEAL 6 DM-i come with a panoramic sunroof that floods the interior in natural light and can open it to the freshness of nature. And the SEAL 6 DM-i Touring has a rear parcel shelf to keep items in the boot hidden, along with a powered tailgate. All BYD SEAL 6 DM-i models have a split folding (40:60) rear seat for improved load flexibility.
The BYD SEAL 6 DM-i is designed for city use and long journeys alike, so it features an extensive line-up of safety and driver-assistance technologies. All versions of the car get seven airbags (driver's, front passenger's, front centre, two front side and two side curtain), double pre-tensioned front seat belts with height adjustment, ISOFIX and i-Size connectors on the outer rear seats and the front passenger's seat, Child Presence Detection and a speed-sensing auto-lock system.
The list of driver-assistance functions includes front and rear parking sensors, rear-view and 360-degree cameras, adaptive cruise control and intelligent cruise control, blind-spot detection, direct driver-fatigue management, rear cross-traffic alert and brake, lane-departure assistance, forward and rear collision warnings and a door-opening warning.
European customers have already discovered the benefits of BYD's self-developed Super Hybrid with DM technology, which mixes the company's trademark Blade Battery with a purpose-built, ultra-efficient petrol engine for strong performance and long real-world range. Now the system that has proven so revolutionary in the SEAL U DM-i SUV is adopted in the BYD SEAL 6 DM-i, bringing the same technological advancements in sedan and wagon body styles.
Super Hybrid with DM technology has three core components, all developed by BYD. The Electric Hybrid System is a highly integrated powertrain that incorporates high-speed dual motors, dual controllers and advanced oil-cooling technology to increase motor power density and efficiency. EHS utilises high-speed dual motors with two separate functions: generating power and driving the wheels.
The 1.5-litre Xiaoyun petrol engine beneath the bonnet of the BYD SEAL 6 DM-i uses the Atkinson cycle for efficiency and produces 72kW. It's been designed specifically for the Super Hybrid system and has a ground-breaking thermal efficiency of 43%.
Finally, the Blade Battery uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry for higher levels of durability and safety than traditional EV and PHEV batteries, without the use of nickel or cobalt. It can even pass the nail penetration test, one of the toughest safety evaluations that any car power battery can face. The Blade Battery's honeycomb-like construction helps it to achieve excellent rigidity and strength, as well as offering packaging benefits through its space efficiency.
As its name suggests, Super Hybrid with DM technology can operate in two distinct ways - EV, where the wheels are driven solely by the electric motor, and HEV, where the same principle applies most of the time; in these cases the petrol engine is supplying charge to the battery and electric motor via an inverter, and the car has the driving response of a pure EV. In moments when additional power is required, HEV mode can switch from Series to Parallel, combining the potential of the petrol engine and the electric motor.
The result is a powertrain that spends the majority of its time operating like an EV, with up to 105km of pure-electric range from the larger of the BYD SEAL 6 DM-i's two Blade Batteries. And the intelligent control of the systems (the 'i' in DM-i) lifts the efficiency beyond any of the car's rivals, with weighted combined fuel consumption of as little as 1.5L/100km and a combined range, on a full charge and a full tank of petrol, of as much as 1505km. This makes the SEAL 6 DM-i an excellent real-world alternative to not only mild hybrids but also traditional pure-combustion models, thanks to its mix of long cruising range and the ability to complete many journeys without using any petrol at all.
Alongside these impressive efficiency figures, the Super Hybrid with DM system also delivers comfortable performance; all versions of the BYD SEAL 6 DM-i, sedan or Touring, can accelerate from 0-100km/h in under nine seconds and reach a top speed of 180km/h.
In addition, Super Hybrid with DM technology uses its Blade Battery to support Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), which can power devices - anything from a portable grill or an air compressor to a coffee machine or fairy lights - at up to 3.3kW. This feature allows all versions of the SEAL 6 DM-i sedan and SEAL 6 DM-i Touring to support active lifestyles anywhere from the front driveway to the forest or beach.
There are two configurations of Super Hybrid available in the BYD SEAL 6 DM-i. In Boost spec the Blade Battery capacity is 10.08kWh and the maximum system power is 135kW. This is the version with the longest WLTP combined range, at 1505km/1350km (sedan/Touring).
Comfort Lite and Comfort editions of the BYD SEAL 6 DM-i feature a higher system power output (156kW) and a larger battery (19kWh). The sedan and Touring can travel further on electricity alone, at 105km and 100km. The WLTP combined ranges of these models are 1455km (sedan) and 1350km (Touring), while their larger battery lowers the weighted fuel consumption to just 1.5L/100km and 1.7L/100km respectively.
The BYD SEAL 6 DM-i is designed for customers who don't want any compromises on everyday use and real-world range - and the standard-equipment lists are suitably comprehensive as a result.
The range starts with Boost, which comes with metallic paint, LED headlights, tail-lights and daytime- running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic wipers, electrically adjustable front seats, electrically adjustable and folding side mirrors, an 8.8-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, four USB ports, rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera. BYD SEAL 6 DM-i Touring-specific features include aluminium roof rails, a powered tailgate and a rear washer/wiper, while all versions of the SEAL 6 DM-i get Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) as standard.
This can power external devices at up to 3.3kW - perfect for family days out or when the car needs to be a mobile office.
The software in the BYD SEAL 6 DM-i's infotainment system is fully updatable over the air (OTA), allowing fresh features to be added over time. The system already includes entertainment apps such as YouTube and Spotify, as well as karaoke software that can be paired with official microphones for a full singalong.
In addition, the interface features BYD's latest software innovations - a shortcuts bar along the bottom of the screen, complete with customisable and moveable buttons, and three-finger gesture control for adjustment of heating and ventilation.
Regardless of whether you're using apps or smartphone integration like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, swiping across the screen changes the fan speed while swiping up and down alters the temperature.
As well as more power, the larger battery for greater pure-electric range and a faster onboard AC charger, the range- topping Comfort version increases the size of the infotainment display to 15.6 inches, emphasising BYD's technology strength with comfortably the largest screen in the class.
This version also adds a heated steering wheel, side-mirror 'puddle lights', rear privacy glass, rhythm-reactive ambient lighting, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a wireless smartphone charging pad and an uprated audio system with eight speakers. It also increases the alloy wheel size to 18 inches for an even more dynamic, sporty look.
Between Boost and Comfort in the line-up sits a Comfort Lite edition, which features the same equipment as the range-topper but has the more compact 12.8-inch touchscreen display.
Every version of the BYD SEAL 6 DM-i comes with excellent warranty conditions as standard, consisting of a six-year manufacturer's warranty and eight years' cover for the drivetrain and battery.
