The new BYD Seagull is a big deal

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BYD launched the new Seagull in China on Tuesday. BYD’s smallest car is no longer so small. The electric vehicle adds technology and capability, while retaining much of what made it popular. The value is even higher now, but the potential impact is greater than the car itself.

Overall, the car grew in length by 425 mm (16.7″) to 4,205 mm. That makes it slightly longer than the Renault Clio, ID.Polo and Geely E2 I saw in Paris or the E-208 I recently drove in Sardinia. Height decreases by 30 mm (a little over an inch) to 1,570 mm, while the width increases by 95 mm (3.75″) to 1,810 mm. The wheelbase increases by 150 mm (~6”) to 2650. Meanwhile, power increases to 95 kW (127 hp), up from 55 kW in China.

However, despite the larger size, increased power and the switch to rear-wheel drive with independent multi-link suspension, weight has been kept under control. Base models start at 1,180 kg (2,601 lbs) up to 1,255 kg (2,767 lbs) for the highest specifications. That’s an increase from 1,160kg to 1,240kg for the 2026 Chinese model, or about a couple of grocery bags difference. That also makes it slightly lighter than the less powerful Geely E2/EX2 and significantly lighter than the smaller Renault 5 (1,372 kg to 1,449 kg), ID.Polo (1,512 kg to 1,576 kg) or E-208 (1,530 kg). Half a metric ton lighter than a 2027 Chevy Bolt LT (1,713 kg or 3,777 lbs).

The battery capacities for the Chinese Seagull market are practically identical to the previous ones: 30.1 kWh (versus 30.08 kWh) and 39.2 kWh (versus 38.88 kWh). However, the CLTC range of the new models increases by 15 km to 320 km and 420 km, respectively. BYD claims to be a class leader with 9 kWh per 100 km. While the car has grown in size, the slightly lower height and longer profile can improve aerodynamics. However, I have a feeling that efficiencies were also found in the powertrain and electronics.

Of course, the big news is the availability of Flash Charging, which can take the car from 10 to 70% in 5 minutes and from 10 to 97% in 9 minutes. While other companies challenge BYD by claiming that charging is a few seconds faster, that’s in premium vehicles. There is nothing like the new Seagull in this price category. Gasoline-equivalent charging speeds are combined with a proliferating charging network. BYD has already put 12,165 Flash charging stations into operation so far this year and plans to have 20,000 by the end of the year. For comparison, Tesla had 9,007 Supercharging stations worldwide, as of October 1, with 3,594 in North America. BYD also offers a free year of unlimited charging with purchase. And that’s just a fraction of the 28 million charging facilities planned in China by the end of next year, with a growing number offering ultra-fast charging. With that speed and charging convenience, long trips become increasingly convenient without having to carry a large, heavy battery with you.

The longer body also helps with safety ratings. While a small car can be made safe, physics has its limitations. Larger crumple zones provide more room to decelerate the vehicle and absorb impacts. As such, this model is unlikely to need the market-specific modified bumpers found on the previous Seagull/Atto 1/Dolphin Surf/Dolphin Mini. Additionally, the Seagull offers a full range of active safety features not typically seen at this price, including the LiDAR-equipped God’s Eye intelligent driving system on some trims. However, they will need approval under the new UN DCAS regulations before we see them active in global markets.

I thought the original Seagull was attractive for what it was. However, the new car looks more elegant and grown-up inside and out without being stuffy. The rear can now carry two 24” suitcases and two 20” suitcases, and another hand luggage now fits in the 94-litre boot, with room to spare. 31 storage spaces throughout the car, including 24 liters of storage space under the rear seats, provide added utility in the tight space. Speaking of rear seats, there is now a center rear seat that takes advantage of the increased hip room. The power front passenger seats now offer heating and ventilation, with massage on the driver’s side.

While I haven’t had the opportunity to drive this car, the multi-link suspension and rear-wheel drive are set to transform the handling. The straight steel arms of the rear suspension don’t look exotic. But the ability to have straight suspension links is efficient, since the loads are almost entirely in tension or compression. Keeping suspension links straight also indicates effective communication between engineering teams to ensure adequate clearances for lightweight components. At the front, the change to rear-wheel drive has allowed a greater steering angle, with the same turning radius of 4.95 m as before, despite having a longer wheelbase.

Meanwhile, list prices are slightly lower than the previous Seagull. Prices start at RMB 65,900 ($9,966 at current exchange rates) up to RMB 99,900 ($14,957) for the top spec with the largest battery, God’s Eye Intelligent Driving, and all options included. Flash charging is included in models starting at RMB 75,900, while base models are aimed at people who charge at home and include a 7 kW home charging station with installation. In addition, models are launched with a discount of 3,000 RMB ($449).

We don’t know what configurations this vehicle could take outside of China in terms of battery size, motor power, trim, etc. And we don’t know when the new Seagull could leave China. But the Seagull has the potential to be a fun but practical car. The cutout indicates that a larger battery could fit and that larger motors are available. The previous car was already fun to drive as it was. This car could set a new standard in its class.

The top trim of the new Seagull is almost the same size as the old Dolphin, but offers more power and equipment compared to the base Dolphin trim, at essentially the same price in China. I hope the Dolphin is replaced soon.

Great potential impact within China and globally

When looking at sales figures in China, it is important to remember that the game has changed. Due to new regulations this year, Chinese automakers are prohibited from selling below cost of goods sold plus selling and administrative expenses. As such, no American-made electric vehicles outside of Tesla could be legally sold in China. Distributors are also prohibited from selling below cost. And they basically can’t register cars for export as “zero mile used cars” anymore. This means that proactive inventory management is difficult under normal circumstances. There is no end-of-year clearance to accommodate new models, as seen in “Toyotathon.” Automakers must preemptively cut deliveries to dealers to avoid stranding older inventories once new models arrive.

Some have said that BYD developed the new Seagull due to recent sales declines compared to the Geely EX2. BYD is fast, but it still takes at least 18 months to develop a new model, which dates back to when the Seagull was still at the top of the sales charts. Due to changes in regulations, the greater the product update, the greater the reduction in dealer deliveries and corresponding sales before the new model. This model represents a massive update to BYD’s smallest car. I anticipate the new Seagull will once again challenge the top of the sales charts once production ramps up.

The Seagull was considered by many to be the first “real” affordable electric vehicle in China. There used to be less expensive cars, like the Wuling Hongguang MINI EV, but they weren’t really highway-friendly and barely qualified as cars. Now, Europe is trying to relax safety standards to create its own class of small vehicles like that Wuling.

Listening to European auto executives at the recent Paris Automotive Summit, they clearly seemed overwhelmed and were advocating for political barriers to weaken competition. Stella Li recently stated that the number one challenge to BYD’s expansion is geopolitics. Neither demand nor technology. If the politicians get out of the way, many people are likely to choose an affordable and capable “real” compact electric vehicle like the new Seagull in Europe.

Beyond the politics and nostalgia of Europe, many people in the “Rest of the World” (RoW) are looking to buy their first “real” new car. People looking to take a step towards a better future, rather than trying to recreate past glory. With cars like the new Seagull, it’s increasingly likely that your first “real” car will be an electric vehicle. An electric vehicle that many could also consider here, if they had the opportunity. In places where customers have the freedom to choose without protectionist distortions, I expect competition to increase and progress to accelerate. In the process, those countries could surpass traditional markets in EV adoption with attractive, affordable cars.