BYD SUPER HYBRID SEAL 6 DM-i DELIVERS PERFORMANCE WITH IMPRESSIVE RANGE
The SEAL 6 DM-i is based on BYD’s ground-breaking Super Hybrid with DM (Dual Mode) technology, which mixes the benefits of an EV driving experience refinement and response with the flexibility of BYD’s self-developed petrol-electric hybrid system.
It features several BYD-exclusive innovations, including dual high-speed electric motors with an integrated controller, a Blade Battery and a Xiaoyun 1.5-litre petrol engine with a ground-breaking thermal efficiency of 43%.
This is one of many BYD new energy vehicles (hybrids) that we have seen in China more than a year ago and wondered if they will be built in right hand drive versions for ASEAN nations.
Well, looks like Singapore gets this hybrid BYD before Malaysia as they have a straight forward taxation system for electric cars and for Malaysia the requirements are very different and rather unique.
As its name suggests, Super Hybrid with DM technology can operate in two distinct ways, which is 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 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 technology also delivers comfortable performance; all versions of the SEAL 6 DM-i 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, 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 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 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 (SEAL 6)
Comfort Lite and Comfort editions of the SEAL 6 DM-i feature a higher system power output (156kW) and a larger battery (19kWh).
These versions of the SEAL 6 DM-i and SEAL 6 DM-i TOURING (station wagon) can travel further on battery power alone, at 105km and 100km respectively. The WLTP combined ranges of these models are 1455km (SEAL 6 DM-i) and 1350km (SEAL 6 DM-i TOURING).
Meanwhile, with BYD’s sales success in Malaysia, this hybrid BYD will just add to its sales success and some Malaysian car buyers will be asking when will it arrive here.
