It resembles the many SUVs that are in circulation, with a particular tendency towards the Porsche Cayenne, but this is not the point. It has inside so much of that technology that you can get lost in, it consumes little, or rather very little, it splashes away like a marvel and offers enough space to send a family of five on holiday with their luggage and cat basket. But to tell the truth it isn’t even that the strong point of the new BYD Seal U Dm-i, presented and tested in recent days on the streets of the capital. But then why should one buy it? For a very simple reason: it has quality to sell and costs little. Off we go from 39,800 for the Boost version to reach 47,800 with the Design version. “A premium vehicle with affordable prices,” he says Gianmaria Adamo, BYD Country Manager for Italy. “With the Seal U Dm-i we offer new alternatives with a different plug-in proposal, which guarantees a mainly electric experience but without charging anxiety. And with the incentives arriving – he adds – we can move into a market segment that is currently the prerogative of smaller models but with very rich features, also in terms of safety, as evidenced by the EuroNcap recognitions for our cars”.
BYD SEAL U DM-i: what is it?
First of all the Seal U DM-i is a plug-in hybrid SUV, where DM stands for Dual Mode, which means the combination of an electric motor with a 1.5 combustion engine, and where “i” stands for intelligent. Unlike all plug-in hybrid vehicles, in this case the protagonist of the powertrain is the electric motor, and not the thermal one. A completely new technology “which favors electric energy with minimal use of the internal combustion engine, making it more environmentally friendly, with greater energy efficiency and reduced consumption, superior driving performance and comfort”, specify the technicians of the Chinese brand. When the battery is fully charged, by selecting the EV driving mode, the vehicle becomes purely electric, while when the state of charge (SOC) is low, it transforms into a hybrid vehicle with very low fuel consumption.
BYD SEAL U DM-i: three trim levels
Three trim levels available: Design, Comfort and Boost. The version Designin addition to being a four-wheel drive, is equipped with two high-power electric motors (150 kW at the front and 120 kW at the rear) and an 18.3 kWh BYD Blade battery, to which is added the 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine 96 kW/128 HP that works in concert with the two electric motors. The total maximum system power is 238 kW/319 HP and the total maximum torque is 550 Nm. The versions Boost and Comfort are front-wheel drive and adopt a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated Miller cycle hybrid engine producing 72 kW/96 HP combined with a 145 kW/194 HP electric motor. The Boost version is equipped with the same 18.3 kWh Blade battery as the Design version and the total system power for the Boost and Comfort versions is 160 kW/214 HP, with a maximum torque of 300 Nm. The Comfort version has however a larger BYD Blade battery, 26.6 kWh, which offers a 100% electric range of 125 km.
BYD SEAL U DM-i: two driving modes
All versions have two driving modes: EV and HEV. EV mode is ideal for city driving. Only during acceleration does the petrol engine provide additional power to the wheels, supporting the electric propulsion. Switching between modes also offers the feeling of being a pure electric vehicle, with the difference that the combustion engine also charges the battery (adjustable between 25 and 70%) so that electric driving is always available. Naturally, the battery is also recharged thanks to the regeneration technology during overrun and braking.
BYD SEAL U DM-i: consumption and autonomy
THE average fuel consumption is 0.9 l/100 km for the Boost version and 1.2 l/100 km for the Design. The combined electricity consumption for the Boost is instead 21 kWh/km and 23.5 kWh/km for the Design, while in the city consumption is reduced to 14.5 and 16.1 kWh/100 km respectively. As for instead autonomy, the all-wheel drive Design version can travel up to 70 km in EV mode (WLTP) guaranteeing a total autonomy of 870 km (WLTP), while the version Front-wheel drive Boost offers a 100% electric range of 80 km for a total range of 1,080 km (WLTP). The Comfort version of the BYD SEAL U DM-i – which will be available after the summer – is equipped with a 26.6 kWh Blade battery which allows a 100% electric range of 125 km, for a total of over 1,100 km (WLTP).
BYD SEAL U DM-i: dimensions and interior
4,775 mm long, 1,890 mm wide and 1,670 mm high, the BYD SEAL U DM-i boasts a wheelbase of 2,765 mm and a nice flat floor that guarantees ample legroom for rear passengers, all in a particularly quiet cabin with premium NVH (noise and vibration) levels. Practicality is also guaranteed by the rear seats which can be folded down separately in 60:40 proportions allowing for easy expansion. the load volume from 425 to 1,440 litres. Functionality is further underlined by the particularly usable storage compartments, the two convenient cup holders in the center console, the four USB ports and the possibility of wireless charging for two smartphones simultaneously. The battery of the BYD SEAL U DM-i supports V2L (Vehicle-to-Load), transforming the car into a portable power supply for electrical devices: a particularly useful feature for trips out of town where a power outlet is not always available.
BYD SEAL U DM-i: intelligent cockpit
The new SUV offers intelligent connectivity and infotainment even remotely via the specific BYD smartphone App. The Intelligent Cockpit System is operated by distinctive 15.6-inch rotatable screen, while information for the driver is displayed on the 12.3-inch LCD dashboard display. To offer a personalized connected experience, the Intelligent Cockpit System offers a 4G connection, integrated Spotify and HERE navigation, smartphone integration via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay and intelligent voice control that can be activated with voice command” Hi BYD”. The system uses OTA (Over-The-Air) updates to always stay up to date. In terms of connectivity, the BYD SEAL U DM-i goes a step further, allowing you to control multiple vehicle functions remotely via the BYD App directly from your smartphone or other mobile device. You can, for example, lock and unlock the doors, close the windows and operate the climate control, seat heating/ventilation, lights and horn. You can also check the charging time and remaining autonomy. With your smartphone you can also open and start the car with the NFC key function.
BYD SEAL U DM-i: advanced security
A wide range of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are available as standard which use five radars and a camera. Standard equipment includes: forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, rear collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane change assist, intelligent control speed limits and the blind spot detection system. The Design version is also equipped with Head Up Display. When driving at night, to aid visibility you can count on full-LED lighting technology with high beam assist and adaptive headlights as standard. To help the driver maneuver safely, a panoramic camera offers 360-degree visibility on the central screen, including from above and around the car with the help of an animated depiction achieved by cleverly combining images from multiple wide-angle cameras.
BYD SEAL U DM-i: colors and availability
First deliveries of BYD SEAL U DM-i Boost and Design will begin in June, while the arrival of the Comfort version is expected after the summer. Five colors: Delan Black, Time Grey, Snow White, Tian Qing (Blue) and Boundless Cloud. The BYD SEAL U DM-i will be offered with a full 6-year/150,000km manufacturer’s warranty, an 8-year/200,000km battery warranty (up to 70% of original capacity) and an 8-year/150,000km warranty on the electric motor.
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