New BYD Sea Lion 07 electric SUV teased

The first teaser sketches of the 2024 BYD Sea Lion 07 electric SUV have been released ahead of the new Tesla Model Y-fighter’s reveal at the Guangzhou Auto Show in China later this week (November 17).

Looking heavily inspired by the 2021 BYD Ocean X concept, the new mid-size SUV features coupe-lines created by a design team led by Wolfgang Egger, the former Audi design boss who previously worked at Alfa Romeo, where he penned the 156 sedan and glorious 8C Competizione.

The Sea Lion 07 is set to be based on BYD’s latest e-Platform 3.0, the new architecture that brings an 800-volt electrical architecture to ensure ultra-fast charging for the car-maker’s Blade battery. The same platform underpins the newly launched Dolphin hatch and Seal sedan.

Created to slot into BYD’s Chinese line-up above the Atto 3 small SUV but below larger mid-size SUVs like the battery-powered Seal U and the Song Plus plug-in hybrid, which will go on sale in Australia in early 2024, the Sea Lion 07 is tipped to cost less than 190,000 yuan ($A39,000).

There’s no word on what will power the Sea Lion 07 but it’s thought it will share powertrains with the Song L, which is closely related to the Song Plus that’s coming to Australia and, confusingly, is also a coupe-style mid-size SUV.

That means it could come with up to 385kW from a dual-motor powertrain and come with the choice of two relatively big batteries – 72kWh or 87kWh.

Versions with the smaller battery are expected to offer a 150kW electric motor that drives the rear wheels.

The long-range version could combine the bigger battery with a 230kW single motor for a range of up to 662km according to the lenient CLTC test cycle.

Finally, the most powerful 380kW version should produce a sub-4.0sec 0-100km/h sprint time and cover up to 600km on a charge.

There are no official sketches inside the cabin, but expect a pair of large multimedia screens, with BYD’s trademark 15.6-inch rotating infotainment touch-screen likely to be available in all models.

A self-parking and Level 2 semi-autonomous cruise control system will be available from launch.

Speaking of which, while sales are expected to kick off in China in early 2024, it’s not yet known whether the Sea Lion 07 is destined for Australia.

If it joins the Song Plus here, it would give BYD Australia a two-pronged attack on the Tesla Model Y’s dominance of the local EV market.

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