Sensible new BYD Seal 6 estate should worry VW and Skoda

Build Your Dreams (BYD) has set itself the ambitious target of selling 50,000 cars alone in Germany next year and since their current offerings are unlikely to achieve that, they have come up with a new estate car tailored to European tastes.

BYD is the world’s biggest EV brand but the Seal 6 DM-i Touring shows that the Chinese manufacturer has not given up on the internal combustion engine either.

When they launch the Seal 6 later this year at prices starting at €42,990, it will be BYD’s first load-carrier but also features, for the first time, what the company calls its «Super Hybrid» power-train, so-called iDM technology.

This is heralded as an greener alternative to mile-munching diesels and should enable frequent drivers to travel across the country without stopping often for fuel and yet still be able to drive electrically most of the time.

At the heart of the car is plug-in hybrid in which the electric side does most of the hard work.

The 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol produces a modest 98 bhp and 122Nm of torque. In normal operation, it runs like a range extender, generating electricity solely for the electric motor.

Only when the driver presses harder on the accelerator does the hybrid switch from series to parallel mode, and the motor acts directly on the front wheels.

Performance is, well, a tad underwhelming, and there is not a lot of shove to write home about. Even with combined forces, the heavy Seal 6 is no powerhouse, delivering a maximum system output of 156 kW/212 hp.

At least the chassis set-up tuning suits the leisurely pace and the Seal 6 glides calmly through the countryside.

The dual-mode vehicle is available in two configurations. While the petrol engine with a displacement of 1.5 litres and 72 kW/98 hp is always the same, BYD offers differences in the electric side of the drive. In the basic model, system output is 135 kW/184 hp and the battery is 10.1 kWh, which means it only has a range of 50 kilometres without fuel.

Those who pay at least €48,990 get a total of 156 kW/212 hp and a 19 kWh battery for an electric range of 100 kilometres.

The battery can be charged either with the combustion engine or via cable – but then rather slowly. Even with a fast charger, it cannot exceed 26 kW. However, the Seal 6 does support «vehicle to load» mode and can be used as a power bank at barbecues or when out camping.

The driving dynamics of the Seal estate are mixed. Electric car drivers will miss the punch that is characteristic of their motors along with eerie quietness when travelling.

As for the combustion engine faction, because the electronics pull the plug at 180 km/h, drivers might feel a distinct lack of power in the fast lane.

That aside, the Seal 6 fits perfectly into the mid-range estate car segment – whether alongside the Skoda Octavia, VW Passat or Peugeot 508.

The design is appealing without being flashy and with its smooth front end and striking rear lights, the Seal looks modern without being gimmicky.

The controls are pleasingly classic. There are still plenty of buttons, and you can even adjust the mirrors using buttons instead of the touchscreen. And BYD has dispensed with the odd rotating screen found in most models, as well as a selfie cam or karaoke mode.

The equipment is comprehensive and up to date, except for the lack of a head-up display. If only the numerous assistance systems were not so annoying, with frequent bonging noises for apparently no reason.

Above all, however, the package is a good fit and the Seal 6 Touring offers plenty of space for the whole family. With a length of 4.84 metres and a wheelbase of 2.79 metres, the back seat is not uncomfortable, even for adults.

There is already a generous 500 litres of space under the luggage cover, and stacked up to the roof it can hold 675 litres of cargo. When the asymmetrically-split rear seat backrest is folded down, you can get up to 1,535 litres of cargo inside on a flat surface.

No, the Seal 6 Touring is not a thrilling car – nor is it one that will impress your neighbours when parked in the driveway.

That said, the BYD estate car is an attractive option for sensible buyers and, above all, a candidate for fleet managers. Perhaps BYD will manage to achieve its ambitious registration targets after all.

Specification: BYD Seal 6 Touring