SPY PICS: BYD Seal U electric SUV spotted in Sydney

A camouflauged BYD Seal U battery-electric SUV has been spotted testing on the middle of Sydney under the cover of darkness, all but confirming it will be the new and previously hinted-at SUV model to be released by the Chinese EV brand in Australia by the end of 2024.

Having only just made its public debut at IAA Mobility exhibition in Germany last week, the mid-size Seal U will serve as a larger alternative to the established BYD Atto 3 compact SUV.

Derived from the same platform but featuring a subtly different EV powertrain, the Seal U is the high-riding cousin of the about-to-be-released BYD Seal sedan and will be available Down Under by the end of next year alongside the aforementioned sedan, the Atto 3 and BYD’s still-mysterious electric pick-up truck.

Just this single image of a camouflaged Seal U prototype, which can be identified by its distinctive tail-light arrangement and narrow rear window, was posted to social media on Tuesday night, with the snapper guessing it to be some sort of EV judging by its “massive centre screen” and lack of exhaust outlets.

European versions of the Seal U feature the choice of a 71.8kW Blade battery good for up to 420km of range, or a bigger 87kWh unit capable of up to 500km, though both sustain a 168kW electric drive motor.

The overall package measures 4785mm long, 1890mmm wide, 1660mm tall and rides on a 2765mm wheelbase, which makes it marginally longer and tall than the Tesla Model Y, carsales’ Best Electric Car of 2023, however, the battery-powered American SUV is wider.

Odds are the BYD will undercut Australia’s top-selling EV on price, but we’ll have to wait until next year for confirmation.