Even Toyota is watching with suspicion. The BYD Seal U DM-i is a plug-in hybrid SUV from China.
We know the BYD Seal U as a fully electric SUV, but with the DM-i a plug-in hybrid version is also added. An initial test with the BYD Seal U DM-i should show whether this Chinese plug-in hybrid is an interesting option.
What kind of car exactly is the BYD Seal U DM-i in this test?
Although the name suggests otherwise, the BYD Seal U DM-i has nothing to do with the electric BYD Seal. In terms of size, the Seal U is in the same segment as the Skoda Enyaq or Kia Sportage. The Seal U stands on a completely different platform than the low Seal, which is not only suitable for electric propulsion, but also for models with a combustion engine. In the case of the DM-i, which stands for Dual Mode-intelligent, it is a plug-in hybrid, with both a combustion engine and electric motor(s).
The BYD Seal U DM-i has a combustion engine and 1 or 2 electric motors.
What does the powertrain of the BYD Seal U DM-i look like?
That depends on the version you choose, the BYD Seal U DM-i is available as Boost, Comfort or Design. The Boost is the basic version and has a 1.5-liter four-cylinder combustion engine and an electric motor, which together drive the front wheels. The electric motor draws its energy from an 18.3 kWh battery. The Comfort has the same powertrain, but with a 26.6 kWh battery, enough to drive about 125 kilometers electrically. The Design has the 18.3 kWh battery, but a turbo on the combustion engine and an extra electric motor on the rear wheels. This increases the system power of the BYD Seal U DM-i from 217 hp to 324 hp, giving you four-wheel drive.
And how does the powertrain of the BYD Seal U DM-i perform in the test?
We do the first test with the BYD Seal U DM-i with the basic version, the Boost. Initially, it drives little differently than the fully electric BYD Seal U. After more than 80 kilometers, the battery is empty and the combustion engine kicks in. It mainly works as a generator and with a quiet driving style you hear no more than a hum in the background. If you go full throttle, the engine increases in speed and stays there, a bit like a Toyota CVT. It is not without reason that Toyota has already shown interest, because the system works exemplary.
A neat, but not very nice interior in the BYD Seal U.
What can you tell us about the chassis of the BYD Seal U DM-i?
Despite the small battery, it weighs about two tons and in all honesty: the car drives a bit squishy. The steering improves by putting it in sport mode, but what remains is the flexible chassis. Don’t expect too much from it in bends, straight ahead it is mainly a comfortable cruiser.