BYD today presents the SEALION 7 to European customers at the Paris Motor Show. Combining sporty performance, sleek SUV design, cutting-edge electric technologies, a spacious and elegantly finished passenger cabin, and a smarter user interface, the new model significantly expands BYD’s presence, the world’s leading new energy vehicle manufacturer, in the European automotive market.
The SEALION 7 is the eighth new energy vehicle (BEV and PHEV) launched by BYD in Europe, positioning the manufacturer dynamically at the heart of one of the most popular vehicle categories. With an overall length of 4,830mm and a wheelbase of 2,930mm, coupled with features such as fast-charging capabilities of up to 230kW for long-distance travel and impressive performance (top speed of 215km/h and acceleration from 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds), the SEALION 7 perfectly meets the needs of tech-savvy European customers seeking a sporty family car with excellent environmental credentials.
Speaking during the model unveiling, BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li stated: “We have identified the demand for exactly this type of vehicle in Europe, so we are pleased to introduce the SEALION 7 here in Paris. We are confident that the combination of SUV design and layout, Blade Battery technology, range, performance, and rich equipment will attract many customers across Europe. The SEALION 7 demonstrates how BYD is responding to customer demand and preferences, expanding its product range to best meet the most important vehicle categories. This will be key as we continue to expand our footprint in Europe.”
The Ocean Series Design Philosophy Expressed in a Sporty SUV Body
The SEALION 7, created at BYD’s studio in Shenzhen under the guidance of the company’s Global Design Director, Wolfgang Egger, adopts the Ocean Series design language, as seen in models such as the DOLPHIN hatchback and the SEAL sedan, adapting it to a sporty SUV body. The result is a vehicle with a strong, athletic presence, yet an exceptionally efficient form that contributes to achieving an impressive range powered by the Blade Battery.
The front of the SEALION 7 features an “X” shaped pattern, a motif familiar from other Ocean Series models. It is designed to convey a sense of forward motion, reflecting the dynamic capabilities of the SEALION 7. However, the Ocean theme is retained through the use of “floating” LED Dual U headlights and the deeply sculpted curves that evoke the movement of waves.
The profile is bold, with a low front balanced by a rounded roofline and a fastback-style rear adorned with a sleek ducktail spoiler. The minimalist configuration of the side surfaces, where a distinct crease rises as the eye moves toward the rear, creates a dual central line, helping maintain a sporty design despite the vehicle’s SUV classification. The clean look and efficiency are further enhanced by the flush door handles that retract into the door when the SEALION 7 is in motion.
Further back, a muscular bulge above the rear wheels reflects the SEALION 7’s performance capabilities and dynamics. Immediately following is a light signature spanning the full width of the luggage compartment door, featuring the latest evolution of the Ocean Series’ “water-drop” lights.
The overall length of the vehicle is 10 millimeters longer than that of the BYD SEAL, but the different category it falls into is more evident in the body height, with the SEALION 7’s roofline standing 160 millimeters higher than that of the coupe-sedan model.
Revolutionary Blade Battery with advanced cell-to-body architecture
The SEALION 7 is built on the cutting-edge e-Platform 3.0 vehicle architecture developed by the company. Designed exclusively for electric vehicles, it features the revolutionary Blade Battery from BYD, which is central to all the models the brand presents in Europe.
BYD has been a pioneer in battery technology for over two decades, establishing itself as a market leader with over nine million new energy vehicles (BEV and PHEV) sold. The Blade Battery is the latest outcome of BYD’s unwavering commitment to technological advancement through substantial investments in research and development.
The Blade Battery was developed in-house by BYD and is designed to deliver top-notch safety, durability, and performance, while occupying as little space as possible. The technology adopted proves to be exceptionally efficient in terms of space utilization, allowing for the compression of more cells into the same space compared to a conventional battery structure. This still results in the creation of an ultra-thin battery, enabling BYD engineers and designers to optimize the SEALION 7’s cabin space.
Furthermore, the Blade Battery uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) as the cathode material. This specific chemistry ensures higher levels of safety and resilience compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries, while also being 100% cobalt-free, a material that has raised ethical and environmental concerns in the mining industry.
LFP batteries are also more resistant to extreme temperatures, less sensitive to temperature fluctuations, and capable of enduring more charge and discharge cycles with almost no loss of capacity, ensuring a longer lifespan.
The Blade Battery’s construction provides superior safety, surpassing the requirements of the stringent Nail Penetration Test – a demanding method for evaluating the thermal runaway of the battery and simulating the consequences of a severe traffic accident.
In addition to the Blade Battery itself, the SEALION 7, like the SEAL, benefits from BYD’s pioneering Cell-to-Body (CTB) battery installation – a key technical difference compared to other EVs. Instead of a traditional layout, it integrates the Blade Battery throughout the vehicle’s structure, with the top cover of the “pack” also functioning as the floor of the passenger compartment. It features a high-strength aluminum honeycomb-like structure that enhances safety. Additionally, using the battery as a structural component also contributes to achieving remarkable torsional rigidity.
High Performance, Fast Charging and Intelligent Dynamics
While the Blade Battery and CTB structure are at the core of the SEALION 7, the new model also features BYD’s innovative electric powertrain system, which integrates most of the key electric control and management components into a single package, enhancing efficiency and minimizing the space it occupies. Additionally, an extremely efficient heat pump comes as standard, utilizing the waste heat from the electric powertrain to maximize range, particularly in low temperatures.
The new SEALION 7 is available in various versions. In its most powerful configuration, with dual motors and intelligent all-wheel drive, the SEALION 7 can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds, with a top speed of 215 km/h. The vehicle can be recharged at speeds of up to 230 kW.
On the road, the SEALION 7 is equipped with a full suite of safety and driver assistance systems and leverages the e-Platform 3.0 architecture to deliver an exhilarating driving experience and dynamics. The Cell-to-Body structure ensures not only very high levels of torsional rigidity but also a low center of gravity, while the suspension is tuned to provide exceptional handling and safe vehicle control.
The driving behavior is further enhanced by the new Intelligent Torque Adaptation Control (iTAC) system, which is available in the all-wheel drive versions with dual motors. It works by intelligently distributing torque, using torque shift, reducing torque, and even applying negative torque to minimize slip. This improves both safety and the driving experience.
SUV Design Ensures Space and Comfort
With its elevated SUV body, the SEALION 7 ensures excellent space and practicality in the cabin, which is particularly important for European customers. Its overall length of 4,830mm and a long wheelbase of 2,930mm (10mm longer than the BYD SEAL), along with the completely flat floor of the e-Platform 3.0 at the rear, create comfortable space for five adults in the passenger cabin. The Cell-to-Body structure and compact Blade Battery ensure a relatively thin floor for an EV with such a large range, allowing generous headroom despite the sloping roofline.
As expected from a model in the Ocean Series, the SEALION 7 dashboard combines BYD’s signature high-tech elements with flowing shapes and a two-level central console that exudes “airy” elegance. Even the door handles are designed to give the impression of a “floating wing.” The cabin features the best-in-class materials, all of high quality, and depending on the equipment level, the seats are upholstered in either vegan leather or Nappa leather. Two color options are available, complementing the four exterior shades.
Sales Commencement in October in Europe, First deliveries in Q4 2024
The prices and complete specifications of the BYD SEALION 7 will be announced in European markets in the near future. The SEALION 7 will begin selling later this month in certain European countries, with the first customer deliveries expected before the end of 2024.
SEALION 7 Presents the full range of BYD Products available in France at the Paris Motor Show
In addition to the new SEALION 7, BYD’s booth at the Paris Motor Show showcases the full range of the brand’s vehicles available on the French market. Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to experience the innovative technology in both the DOLPHIN and ATTO 3 models, as well as explore the SEAL and SEAL U DM-i. Furthermore, the exhibition marks the French debut of the luxury brand YANGWANG, represented by the incredible U8, which we had the chance to see up close at the Auto Athina exhibition held in our country.
BYD is present at the Paris Motor Show in Pavilion 5.3, stand A42. The exhibition runs from October 14 to 20.
