The Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, BYD, is gearing up to expand its electric vehicle lineup in India. After introducing the e6 eMPV for the commercial segment, BYD has made strides by offering the e6 for private buyers and the Atto 3 eSUV. The latest addition to BYD’s Indian portfolio is the Seal sedan, which recently achieved a remarkable 5-star safety rating in Euro NCAP crash tests.
Euro NCAP rigorously tested the new BYD Seal electric sedan, and the results were nothing short of impressive. The tested vehicle was the BYD Seal ‘Design’ trim, a left-hand-drive (LHD) model with 4X2 configuration. This four-door sedan weighs 2091 kg in total and comes equipped with front and side airbags, although it lacks a knee airbag. Standard safety features include seat belt reminders, seat belt pre-tensioners, child presence detectors, and load limiters.
The BYD Seal also features an array of active safety systems, including auto braking (front and rear), speed assistance, lane assistance, and fatigue detection, all of which are part of the standard equipment.
In adult occupant crash tests, Euro NCAP assessed the BYD Seal for frontal impact, lateral impact, and rear impact. The results were impressive, with the car scoring 13.5 out of 16 points in frontal impact, a perfect 16 out of 16 for lateral impact, 3.7 out of 4 points for rear impact, and 2.5 out of 4 points for rescue extrication. These scores added up to a total of 35.8 points, resulting in an 89% rating in adult occupant protection.
Child protection was also a strong point for the BYD Seal, which scored 24 out of 24 points in crash tests involving 6- and 10-year-old children. The car received 7 out of 13 points for safety features and a perfect 12 out of 12 points for child restraint system (CRS) installation check tests, earning it an 87% rating in child protection.
In the vulnerable road users test, the BYD Seal achieved a total of 51.7 points, resulting in an 82% rating, and in safety systems, it scored a total of 13.8 points, earning a 76% rating. Combining all these results, the BYD Seal secured a well-deserved 5-star safety rating, with its vehicle structure proving stable in the event of a crash.
The BYD Seal is a crucial addition to BYD’s offerings in India. The company made its debut in India at the 2023 Auto Expo, and the Seal is prominently featured on BYD India’s official website. The Seal boasts impressive performance figures, including a 0-100 km/h time of just 3.8 seconds, 700 km of range on a single charge, a 50:50 weight distribution, and a low 0.219 Cd air drag coefficient. These impressive metrics are possible in the top-spec model, equipped with an 82.5 kWh battery and a dual-motor layout producing 530 bhp and 670 Nm of torque, along with all-wheel drive.
In Thailand, the base BYD Seal starts at 1.32 million Baht (approximately Rs. 30 lakh). When the BYD Seal is launched in India in 2024, it is expected to compete with other high-end electric vehicles, with an estimated price of around Rs. 60 lakh. This will position it as a rival to vehicles like the Kia EV6 and BMW i4. The Indian market eagerly awaits the arrival of the BYD Seal, and there is also hope for the introduction of the Seagull hatchback in the near future.
The BYD Seal’s impressive safety rating in Euro NCAP crash tests highlights the brand’s commitment to delivering not only performance but also top-notch safety for its electric vehicles. This achievement is a significant step in the right direction for BYD’s expansion in the Indian electric vehicle market.
