BYD will launch the updated Seagull next week, its popular electric vehicle that sells for around $10,000 in China.
When will BYD launch the updated Seagull EV?
The Seagull is BYD’s smallest and most affordable electric car in its home market. In China, the electric hatch starts at just 69,900 yuan, or about $10,000.
BYD sells the electric hatch in Europe and the UK as the Dolphin Surf. Elsewhere, it is renamed and sold as the Dolphin Mini.
Outside of China, the Dolphin Surf is among BYD’s lowest-priced electric vehicles, starting at €22,900 ($25,000) in Europe.
It’s no surprise that the Seagull, including the Dolphin Surf and the Mini, is one of the best-selling electric vehicles in the world. According to the most recent data from technical cleaningBYD’s Seagull (Dolphin Surf/Mini) was the sixth most popular electric car in the world during the first eight months of 2026.
With the arrival of a flood of low-cost competition, BYD is preparing to launch an updated Seagull in China that will be bigger, smarter and feel more premium.
According to a report from a Chinese technology media Home NewsBYD sent an invitation to the media, confirming that the second generation of the Seagull will be launched on October 20 at the Zhengzhou International Circuit.
The updated Seagull brings several important improvements. For one thing, it will be 425mm longer, with a 150mm longer wheelbase than the current Seagull.
A regulatory filing from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) revealed that the second-generation Seagull measures 4,205mm long, 1,810mm wide and 1,570mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,650mm.
It also gains another seat, with space for five passengers. The updated version will use a more powerful 95 kW (127 hp) electric motor, compared to the 55 kW (75 hp) offered by the current Seagull.
Unlike the current front-wheel drive (FWD) Seagull, the second-generation model will shift to rear-wheel drive (RWD).
BYD upgraded the rear suspension to an independent multi-link system to improve ride quality and handling.
The new Seagull will be available with two Blade BYD lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, offering CLTC ranges of up to 320 km and 420 km. Meanwhile, higher-priced versions will include BYD’s 1,500 kW flash charging technology.
This setting allows the battery to charge from 10% to 70% in 5 minutes. To go from 10% to 97%, it takes only 9 minutes. Even at temperatures as low as -30°C, it takes 12 minutes to charge from 20% to 97%.
Inside, the interior is refreshed with a larger central infotainment screen, a two-spoke steering wheel, a redesigned center console, and additional physical buttons.
Like many of its new vehicles, the second-generation Seagull will receive updated safety and convenience features.
All models will have BYD’s 140 km/h high-speed tire burst stability system. Higher-priced variants will offer BYD’s God’s Eye B intelligent driving system and DiPilot 300 driver assistance system with a roof-mounted LiDAR.
Zhang Zhuo, general manager of BYD’s Ocean series, announced that blind pre-orders for the updated Seagull opened on October 9. However, he did not reveal the price.
BYD will reveal pricing during the launch event on October 20, but online rumors suggest that dealers will “pre-price” the second-generation Seagull at around 85,000 yuan, or around $12,500.
After its launch in China, BYD is expected to introduce the larger and updated model abroad. It will probably be some variation of the Dolphin Surf and Mini.
Source: IT Home News, BYD
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