After selling only pure electric vehicles in the Indian automobile market, leading car manufacturer BYD is now preparing to make a major and historic splash in India. The BYD Sealion 6 Plug-in Hybrid SUV has been spotted testing on Indian roads for the first time, a clear indication that the company is launching it in India very soon.
This state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicle will prove to be a boon for families who want the comforts of an electric car and the freedom from the fear of running out of charge during long-distance journeys. Upon its arrival in India, this powerful vehicle will directly challenge the dominance of JSW MG Motor’s upcoming hybrid vehicles and the Jetour T2-based hybrid SUV.
BYD Sealion 6 Powertrain
The upcoming SUV’s biggest strength is its advanced plug-in hybrid engine, which will permanently free Indian customers from fuel worries. In international markets, the car comes with two 1.5-liter engine options: a standard petrol engine and a high-performance turbo-petrol engine.
These engines are powered by either an 18.3kWh or 26.6kWh Advanced Blade battery pack. The base variant comes with front-wheel drive (FWD) only, producing a strong 218hp and a range of 80 to 90 kilometers on battery power alone. For speed enthusiasts, the turbo-petrol variant comes with an all-wheel drive (AWD) system, producing a whopping 324hp to 344hp.
BYD claims that thanks to its Super DM Technology, the vehicle offers an unmatched combined range of 1,092 kilometers on a single full fuel tank and battery, making a long journey from Kashmir to Kanyakumari extremely affordable.
Exterior Design
In terms of appearance, the BYD Sealion 6 features a more traditional and muscular SUV body compared to the Sielion 7 coupe already sold in India. This provides a comfortable and elevated passenger seating stance inside the cabin. Dimensionally, it measures 4,775 mm in length, 1,890 mm in width, and 1,670 mm in height, along with a large and robust wheelbase of 2,765 mm.
The car’s front end features double U-shaped LED headlights and modern DRLs, which, combined with the chrome transverse strips on the bumper, give it a very aggressive look. The sleek 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels and all-around black cladding further enhance its rugged look. At the rear, connected LED taillights with a striking water-drop matrix pattern and a large roof spoiler enhance its nighttime presence.
Interior and Luxury
As soon as you step inside the BYD Sielion 6’s luxurious cabin, you’re greeted with a sense of opulence and modern luxury. In international markets, the interior comes in a stunning dual-tone color scheme (tan and black or off-white and black), accentuated by premium leather simulation and a shiny silver trim on the dashboard.
Inside the cabin, the main attraction is the 15.6-inch rotatable touchscreen infotainment screen, featuring BYD’s signature technology, which can be positioned vertically or horizontally to suit your needs. For driver assistance, a 12.3-inch full LCD digital instrument cluster and a heads-up display (HUD) display projecting key information onto the windshield are also provided.
The sofa-like comfort of the front seats is ventilated and heated, while the rear passenger seating area features a completely flat floor, allowing three passengers to sit comfortably. The car offers a large 425-liter boot space, which can be expanded to 1,440 liters by folding the rear seats.
Advanced Safety
BYD is renowned worldwide for its robust safety features, and the Sylion 6 also offers top-notch safety. This plug-in hybrid SUV features state-of-the-art Level-2 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) technology to avoid accidents, including features like adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, and autonomous emergency braking.