Chinese Automobile Giant BYD Shows off New Models in Hungary

Chinese car manufacturer BYD, which is building a plant in Szeged (southern Hungary), presented two of its new models, now also available in Hungary, writes Világgazdaság. The Seal U DM-i is the first plug-in hybrid in the Asian company’s range here, while the Tang is a seven-seater SUV with electric power.

With 300 dealerships in 23 European countries, BYD has launched six pure electric models in the Hungarian market:

• Atto 3 (compact SUV),
• Han (upper mid-size sedan),
• Tang (upper mid-size SUV),
• Dolphin (compact five-door),
• Seal (mid-size sedan) and
• Seal U (mid-size SUV).

The arrival of the Seal U DM-i is nothing new, as it was originally aimed at countries where charging networks are not well developed

and customers want a vehicle that offers all the advantages of electric drive, but also – thanks to its petrol engine – an extremely long range without lengthy battery recharging.

Both versions – Boost and Design – have a minimum combined range on paper of 870 kilometers (Boost even more than 1,000 kilometers), and the WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light-Duty Vehicles Test Procedure) is 80 and 70 kilometers, depending on the equipment. According to the manufacturer, it can be charged from 30 to 80 percent in just 35 minutes.

As for the warranty,

• the basic is 6 years or 150,000 kilometers;
• 8 years or 200,000 kilometers for the battery and
• 8 years or 150,000 kilometers for the electric motor and engine management system.

The front-wheel-drive Boost series comes with a 18.3 kWh battery, 1.5 liter naturally aspirated petrol engine, electrically adjustable vegan leather seats, 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen, 360-degree camera, Infinity sound system, panoramic roof, head-up display (HUD), wireless charger and V2L (Vehicle to Load) function for HUF 15.365 million (EUR 38,300).

The Design version, on the other hand, comes with extras such as the in-house developed 1.5 turbo hybrid engine, four-wheel drive and two electric motors for the Seal U DM-i for HUF 18.477 million (EUR 46,062).

The company’s Super DM (Dual Mode) technology always prioritizes electric drive over internal combustion, meaning that when the battery is fully charged and the driver switches to EV mode, the car runs purely as an electric.

Then, as the charge level drops, hybrid operation takes precedence, meaning the driver does not have to worry thanks to the petrol engine.

The spacious, seven-seat, four-wheel-drive Tang is also practical and versatile, ‘sold’ as a family-oriented SUV with a premium-class equipment. Its powertrain features two electric motors working in conjunction with a Blade battery, giving a range of up to 530 kilometers (WLTP mixed).

The nose design is the latest incarnation of the so-called “dragon face” design language, combining historical oriental elements with western details for a coherent and modern look. The emphasis on precision and sophistication is reflected in the interior, as well as in the 32 safety and driver assistance features. The 31 color mood lighting settings promise great fun both day and night.

Speed is also no problem for the Tang, which reaches 100 kilometers per hour in just 4.9 seconds. However, perhaps one of the best things about the electric family SUV is that it can tow a trailer weighing up to 1,500 kilograms.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Tang stands above the Seal U in the Chinese brand’s European line-up. However, the market will decide how it reacts to its price:

the list price of the flagship variant is HUF 29.52 million (EUR 73,591), from which up to HUF 4 million (EUR 9,972) can be deducted by domestic companies through state subsidies.

Another feature worth mentioning is the opening glass panoramic roof, also standard, through which the light streaming in enhances the feeling of spaciousness.

BYD’s luxury category flagship, the YangWang U8, is also highly praised among car lovers. It is

• 5319 millimeters long,
• weighs 3.5 tons,
• with 1,197 horsepower, therefore it is not surprising that it
• reaches 100 kilometers per hour in 3.6 seconds
• and its top speed is electronically controlled to 200 kilometers per hour.

It is best known for its ability to turn in one place like a tank, while also being able to swim.

Via Világgazdaság; Featured image via Facebook/BYD Magyarország