BYD Sealion 06 Debuts in China: UAE Arrival Expected Soon

Abu Dhabi : BYD has launched its new Sealion 06 SUV in China. There are expectations it will likely debut in the UAE through official or private import channels.

• The mid-size SUV is available in EV and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions.
• It has up to 605 km electric range and 1,670 km combined hybrid range.
• There is a 15.6-inch screen, 7 airbags, and advanced safety systems.
• The launch timeline in the UAE is still yet to be confirmed.

BYD has unwrapped its latest Ocean series SUV, called the Sealion 06, in China. This mid-size model is available in pure electric and plug-in hybrid variants and has a sleek exterior, practical options for range, and impressive features.

The Sealion 06, with increasing demand for electric vehicles and hybrids in the UAE, could soon reach the region via private importers or authorised dealerships.

Design and Size

The BYD Sealion 06 has a modern exterior with a grille that is sealed, split LED headlights, flush door handles, and a sporty rear light bar.

The design, in the EV and PHEV versions, is consistent. The length is 4,810 mm and the height is 1,675 mm, which means it has a generous boot space of 757 litres and an additional 142-litre frunk in EV versions.

Powertrains and Variants

All EV variants of the Sealion 06 have rear-wheel-drive and use the e-Platform 3.0 Evo. Buyers can choose between a 400V setup with a range of 520 km or an 800V configuration that extends to 605 km.

PHEV versions use a 1.5-litre petrol engine with the latest DM-i hybrid system from BYD, which offer up to 170 km in EV-only mode and a combined range of 1,670 km.

Variant Breakdown

EV variants are as follow:

• Navigation: 65.28 kWh, 228hp, 520 km (approximately AED 73,000).
• Navigation Pro/Plus: 78.72 kWh, 241hp, 605 km (AED 78,000 to 83,000).

Below are the PHEV variants:

• Pilot: 18.3 kWh, 215hp + 100hp engine, 121 km EV range.
• Pilot Pro/Plus: 26.6 kWh, 215 to 241hp, 170 km EV range, total of 1,670 km.

Interior and Comfort

On the inside, the Sealion 06 uses a symmetrical dashboard with a rotatable infotainment screen of 15.6-inch and a flat-bottom four-spoke steering wheel.

Some of the features include wireless phone charging, NFC key system, a built-in fridge, and remote view capability. The five-seater SUV also has a refined cabin experience through thoughtful design and two themes of interior colour.

Safety and Technology

All trims of the Sealion 06 have 7 airbags and over 30 active safety functions. The DiPilot 100 suite adds advanced driver aids like Highway NOA, autonomous emergency braking, and Sentinel Mode. The PHEV variants also come with 3.3 kW external power output and fast DC charging at 54 kW.

Availability in the UAE

Currently, there is no official confirmation from BYD’s UAE network about any launch for Sealion 06. However, as importation of Chinese EV is a growing trend, it is likely that the model will soon enter the UAE market via unofficial channels or eventual dealership support.

The SUV will most likely rival the Tesla Model Y, Kia EV6, and Hyundai Ioniq 5.