DOLPHIN. Seal. Shark. Sealion. DolphinMini.
Sounds like a game of I Spy at The Deep.
But it’s not an aquarium.
It’s a car showroom.
Packed with hi-tech motors from BYD. China’s megalodon.
BYD arrived on these shores a little over a year ago and is already stirring things up. Like, really stirring things up.
They’ve got Premier League stars driving their cars. Kyle Walker. Phil Foden. Ollie Watkins. Wayne Rooney.
They’ve got Uber drivers driving their cars.
By this time next year, they’ll have 120 UK dealers encouraging YOU to drive their cars.
Some pure electric. Some petrol/electric plug-in hybrids.
But all packed with cutting-edge tech and TikTok-pleasing rotating touchscreens.
Now before we talk Sealion 7 — the car you see in the big picture — I need to explain what a force BYD is.
Last month it sold half a million cars. I repeat, half a million cars. In a month.
Make that four million-plus by the end of the year — DOUBLE the entire UK market.
Like I say, megalodon.
BYD is now building factories in Hungary and Turkey to produce many of its vehicles for Europe in Europe — thereby avoiding tariffs. Then there’s BYD electric London buses, trucks and vans.
BYD most likely made the batteries in your laptop and smartphone.
Right, let’s unpack Sealion 7.
Basically, it’s a Tesla Model Y. But better. Although pricier than you might think.
The flat Blade battery is part of the car’s structure, adding strength and improving driving fun.
The rear e-motor revs to 23,000rpm, the fastest in mass production. Part of the body structure uses Submarine-class steel.
Another marine reference for you there.
The cheapest version, at £46k, is 310hp and nudges 300 miles. The £50k version we tested is 530hp, four-wheel drive and as fast AF.
BYD arrived on these shores a little over a year ago and is already stirring things up. Like, really stirring things up
You do lose a smidge of range for that extra oomph.
But that’s not really an issue when recharging to 80 per cent takes only 24 minutes. That’s a quick tea-and-pee break.
We liked the suspension. Good balance between body roll and ride comfort, especially for an SUV weighing a hefty 2.3 tonnes.
The wheels were wrapped in all-weather Pirelli tyres.
But we didn’t like the brakes much. It needs more bite at the top of the pedal, if you know what I mean. Plus, the cabin wasn’t as hushed as we were told.
I’m sure BYD will read this review and solve all that. The Chinese learn quickly.
On the flipper side, everything else from here on out is decent. The cabin is lush and roomy. That 15.6in rotating touchscreen is gaming-speed fast.
You get heated seats all round and a huge glass roof. Everyone will be happy. They won’t get sea sick.
Also worth noting. It’s a five-seater. Not seven, as the name might suggest. We’re told “7” refers to the size and shape of the car.
As for petrol/electric, BYD has Seal U and will widen the net with four more plug-in hybrids next year. Hatchback. Saloon. SUV. All with fishy names no doubt. Plus, the awesome Shark pick-up truck.
Bosses confirmed a smaller EV to sit below the £26k Dolphin will be called DolphinMini (known as Seagull in its home market).
They should headhunt Sir David Attenborough as the frontman.
