The Sea Lion is likely to be a new midsize EV SUV positioned above the Atto 3.
Build Your Dreams (BYD) has filed a trademark for the name ‘Sea Lion’, which suggests that the Chinese carmaker may launch a new EV in India sometime soon. A new BYD model has been spotted testing abroad which is likely to be christened the Sea Lion. However, it remains to be seen if that will come to India or if BYD will rename an existing global model for the Indian market.
BYD Sea Lion platform, exterior, interior
The test mule spotted abroad is touted to be a midsize SUV and is likely to measure 4,770mm in length, 1,910mm in width and 1,620mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,900mm. As per the spy shots, the Sea Lion SUV will have a coupe-like sloping roofline. It is expected to be built on BYD’s e-platform 3.0. Compared to the Atto 3, the Sea Lion is likely to be 315mm, 35mm and 5mm bigger in length, width and height, respectively and will have a 180mm longer wheelbase.
Inside, like all BYD models, the Sea Lion is also expected to have a rotating, 15.6-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Spy shots of the Sea Lion SUV also show that it will get a flat-bottom steering wheel and a small drive selector like the one seen on the upcoming BYD Seal sedan.
BYD Sea Lion powertrain
The Sea Lion is likely to get rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. The former is expected to get an electric motor capable of producing 204hp and 310Nm of torque, which is the same as the Atto 3. The all-wheel drive is expected to get a dual-motor set-up with a combined 530hp (217hp from the front, 313hp from the rear). It is expected to get an 82.5kWh battery with a range of up to 700km and is likely to be a rival to the Tesla Model Y.
BYD Sea Lion price, rivals
Expect the Sea Lion to be positioned above the Atto 3 SUV which is priced at Rs 33.99 lakh (ex-showroom, India). Compared to the American EV, the dual-motor Sea Lion makes 45hp more than the top-spec Model Y, while the entry-level Model Y makes 60hp more than the single-motor Sea Lion.
Tesla is in talks with the government of India to set up a manufacturing unit in India, however, the location of the factory has not yet been finalised. Tesla will likely enter India with the Model Y and a new entry-level model that will be made at the upcoming factory in India.
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