Key highlights:
- BEV Sealion 08 uses a 115kWh battery and offers up to 900km CLTC range
- AWD BEV trim produces an impressive 585kW and sprints from 0-100km/h in 3.9s
- PHEV version offers up to 1,650km of claimed combined CLTC range
BYD has launched the brand-new Sealion 08 in China, a mid-to-large SUV positioned as an ultra-premium flagship with both plug-in hybrid and battery-electric powertrains. Eight variants of the new SUV are up for sale, with prices starting at ¥229,900 (A$47,600) and topping out at ¥279,900 (A$58,000) for the flagship trim.
The Sealion 08 has debuted with both Battery Electric Vehicle and DM-i PHEV options, built using the brand’s second-generation Blade Battery. The EV version boasts up to 900km CLTC range and supports ultra-fast flash charging capable of up to 1000kW DC charging.
There is no word about the Sealion 08’s Australian launch yet, but it is speculated that this full-size, ultra-luxury flagship crossover SUV can launch here under the Denza sub-brand.
Eight variants, two powertrain choices
The all-new BYD Sealion 08 SUV comes in five and six-seat configurations, with PHEV and BEV versions spread across the range:
- HEV 400km 6-Seat Honour Edition
- PHEV 350km 5-Seat 4WD Flagship
- BEV 900km 5-Seat Honour Edition
- BEV 900km 6-Seat Honour Edition
- PHEV 350km 6-Seat 4WD Flagship
- BEV 800km 5-Seat 4WD Flagship
- BEV 900km 6-Seat Honour Edition
- BEV 800km 6-Seat 4WD Flagship
The above list starts from ¥229,900 (A$47,600) and goes up to ¥279,900 (A$58,000) for the flagship.
PHEV offers up to 1,650km of claimed range
The PHEV Sealion 08 uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged system with an engine maximum output of 115kW. Its single-motor versions produce 200kW, while dual-motor versions use two 200kW electric motors supported by a 55.843kWh second-generation Blade Battery.
| Specifications | BYD Sealion 08 PHEV |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L turbocharged petrol |
| Battery capacity | 55.843kWh Blade Battery 2.0 |
| Engine output | 115kW |
| Single motor output | 200kW |
| Dual motor output | 2x200kW |
| Electric driving range | 350-400km CLTC |
| Combined range | 1650km CLTC |
BEV version pushes output to 585 kW
The single-motor rear-wheel-drive model produces 370kW while the all-wheel-drive version adds a 215kW front motor to the 370kW rear motor. The BEVs use a much larger 115.072kWh second-generation Blade Battery and deliver between 800km and 900km of claimed CLTC range. Acceleration varies between 5.9 seconds and 3.9 seconds from 0–100km/h.
| Specifications | BYD Sealion 08 BEV RWD | BYD Sealion 08 BEV AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 115.072kWh Blade Battery 2.0 | 115.072kWh Blade Battery 2.0 |
| Front motor output | N/A | 215kW |
| Rear motor output | 370kW | 370kW |
| Total power output | 370kW | 585kW |
| Electric driving range | 900km CLTC | 800km CLTC |
| Acceleration (0-100km/h) | 5.9 seconds | 3.9 seconds |
Also read: Polestar 4 SUV lands in Australia with its rear window back
Dimensions and capacity: Plenty of cargo flexibility
In Australian terms, the Sealion 08 is longer and wider than a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, though it sits a bit lower, like a large road-focused crossover. It is scaled up in every single direction compared to the smaller BYD Sealion 8 PHEV SUV currently sold in Australia.
| Length | 5115mm |
| Width | 1999mm |
| Height | 1800mm |
| Wheelbase | 3030mm |
The Sealion 08 also has plenty of cargo space, which varies significantly between the five and six-seat layouts.
| Configuration | Rear cargo | Front trunk |
|---|---|---|
| Five-seat | 943L | 201L |
| Six-seat | 317L | 201L |
| Six-seat (seats folded) | 1173L | 201L |
Air suspension and advanced chassis tech
BYD gives the Sealion 08 a double-wishbone front suspension and five-link rear suspension, and it also gets the DiSus-A intelligent air suspension system. The system supports road preview, active rear-wheel steering, a Crab Walk mode and rollover prevention.
Active rear-wheel steering helps give the large SUV a claimed turning radius of just 4.95 metres.
The Sealion 08 also uses BYD’s God’s Eye 5.0 intelligent driving system.
Exterior: Big SUV with Ocean-inspired styling
BYD builds the Sealion 08 around its Ocean Aesthetics 2.0 design language, and buyers can choose from six single-tone exterior colours, including Frost Jade Silver and Poseidon Green, plus two dual-tone finishes.
The SUV uses Ice Eye daytime running lights in the front, and the company creates them with crystal thick-wall diamond processes and 132 high-power LED light sources.
The side profile uses an extended shoulder line, while 20-inch or 21-inch wheels feature floating hub caps that keep the BYD logo stationary as the wheels rotate.
A 1,982mm-wide gradient taillight spans the rear and is inspired by deep-sea tides.
Interior: High-tech, six-seat-friendly cabin
The Sealion 08 offers both five and six-seat layouts, and its digital cockpit centres on a 17.3-inch central touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 26-inch augmented-reality head-up display (AR-HUD) in both layouts.
The front seats get eight-way electric adjustment, heating, ventilation and 10-point massage functions.
The six-seat version gets zero-gravity seats for the driver and rear-right passenger, with the rear passenger seat also able to move laterally.
Rear passengers also get a 21.4-inch high-definition ceiling screen and a 7.3-litre onboard refrigerator, while a 25-speaker Devialet sound system with Dolby Atmos handles audio.
Is the BYD Sealion 08 coming to Australia?
The all-new Sealion 08 ultra-premium flagship SUV is not yet confirmed for Australian arrival, and its positioning could complicate the decision when thinking of its possible launch.
BYD markets the SUV as an ultra-premium flagship designed to compete with high-end European brands, which has led to speculation that BYD could use its Denza premium sub-brand if it brings the model here, rather than selling it under the mainstream BYD badge.
That would place it closer to the likes of Lexus or Audi in positioning, but nothing has been confirmed, though.
There is one interesting Australian connection. BYD has confirmed that its 1000kW mega-chargers are headed Down Under, and these chargers support the Sealion 08’s ultra-fast flash-charging technology.
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