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The BYD (EV) Thread
- Thread starter FiestaST
- Start date
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
BYD's Yangwang U7 debuts in China - an electric 1,287-hp sedan
BYD might be mostly known for its affordable electric cars, but the company is making another bold move into the high-end market with the launch of the Yangwang U7. This electric sedan boasts nearly 1,300 horsepower, and is designed to compete with established luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, but at a surprisingly competitive price point.
The Yangwang U7 is a large sedan, measuring 5,265 mm in length, 1,998 mm in width, and 1,517 mm in height. This makes it much larger than the Lucid Air and only 130 mm shorter than the BMW i7. The U7 features four electric motors that produce a combined output of 1,287 horsepower. This power translates to a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in just 2.9 seconds.
The U7 is literally packed with advanced technology. The car is equipped with BYD's DiSus-Z body control system, which enhances stability and safety, even in the event of a tire blowout. The "God's Eye A" advanced driving assistance system uses three LiDAR sensors, five radars, 13 high-definition cameras, and 12 ultrasonic radars to provide Level 2 self-driving capabilities.
The power comes from a 135.5 kWh BYD Blade battery, offering a CLTC range of up to 720 km. The U7 supports DC fast-charging speeds of up to 500 kW, allowing the battery to charge from 30% to 80% in under 20 minutes. Inside, the U7 features a "Star Ring Cockpit" layout, BYD's DiLink smart cockpit system, and DeepSeek AI. The cabin includes a 12.8-inch curved center screen, a 23-inch instrument display, and 6-inch passenger entertainment screens.
The Yangwang U7 is available in both electric and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions. The five-seat electric version starts at RMB 628,000 (€79,000), while the four-seat version starts at RMB 708,000 (€85,000). This pricing is significantly lower than initial expectations, making the U7 a very competitive option in the ultra-luxury EV market.
www.arenaev.com
BYD might be mostly known for its affordable electric cars, but the company is making another bold move into the high-end market with the launch of the Yangwang U7. This electric sedan boasts nearly 1,300 horsepower, and is designed to compete with established luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, but at a surprisingly competitive price point.
The Yangwang U7 is a large sedan, measuring 5,265 mm in length, 1,998 mm in width, and 1,517 mm in height. This makes it much larger than the Lucid Air and only 130 mm shorter than the BMW i7. The U7 features four electric motors that produce a combined output of 1,287 horsepower. This power translates to a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in just 2.9 seconds.
The U7 is literally packed with advanced technology. The car is equipped with BYD's DiSus-Z body control system, which enhances stability and safety, even in the event of a tire blowout. The "God's Eye A" advanced driving assistance system uses three LiDAR sensors, five radars, 13 high-definition cameras, and 12 ultrasonic radars to provide Level 2 self-driving capabilities.
The power comes from a 135.5 kWh BYD Blade battery, offering a CLTC range of up to 720 km. The U7 supports DC fast-charging speeds of up to 500 kW, allowing the battery to charge from 30% to 80% in under 20 minutes. Inside, the U7 features a "Star Ring Cockpit" layout, BYD's DiLink smart cockpit system, and DeepSeek AI. The cabin includes a 12.8-inch curved center screen, a 23-inch instrument display, and 6-inch passenger entertainment screens.
The Yangwang U7 is available in both electric and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions. The five-seat electric version starts at RMB 628,000 (€79,000), while the four-seat version starts at RMB 708,000 (€85,000). This pricing is significantly lower than initial expectations, making the U7 a very competitive option in the ultra-luxury EV market.
BYD's Yangwang U7 debuts in China - an electric 1,287-hp sedan
The Yangwang U7, BYD’s new luxury electric sedan, delivers nearly 1,300 horsepower and advanced tech at a price that challenges traditional luxury carmakers.
www.arenaev.com
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
BYD’s Yangwang U7 Demonstrates Driving Stability with Martial Art Master Balancing Act
www.carmag.co.za
BYD's Yangwang U7 Demonstrates Driving Stability with Martial Art Master Balancing Act
Similarly to Volvo's 'Epic Split' with Jean-Claude Van Damme, the Yangwang U7 has crossed a road strewn with speed bumps while a martial art master balances on its roof!
www.carmag.co.za
FiestaST
Honorary Master
BYD launching three vehicles in SA this week, including 321kW bakkie - here's how much they could cost
Chinese automotive giant BYD, otherwise known as Build Your Dreams, is expanding its South African line-up with three new plug-in hybrid vehicles this week.
These will join fully-electric Dolphin, Atto 3 and Seal models which are already available locally.
Arguably the most exciting addition is the BYD Shark 6 bakkie, which features a longitudinal electric hybrid system that pairs two electric motors with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine for combined outputs of 321kW and 650Nm. This makes it more powerful than Ford's Ranger Raptor, which musters 292kW.
BYD claims this powerful bakkie can sprint from 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds, and it's also said to be capable of covering up to 100km on electric power alone, thanks to a 29.5 kWh BYD Blade battery.
Independent front and rear suspension are also unusual features in the bakkie world, but the 200mm ground clearance and 2,500kg braked towing capacity do fall below the segment benchmarks, as does the payload of around 800kg.
Chinese automotive giant BYD, otherwise known as Build Your Dreams, is expanding its South African line-up with three new plug-in hybrid vehicles this week.
These will join fully-electric Dolphin, Atto 3 and Seal models which are already available locally.
Arguably the most exciting addition is the BYD Shark 6 bakkie, which features a longitudinal electric hybrid system that pairs two electric motors with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine for combined outputs of 321kW and 650Nm. This makes it more powerful than Ford's Ranger Raptor, which musters 292kW.
BYD claims this powerful bakkie can sprint from 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds, and it's also said to be capable of covering up to 100km on electric power alone, thanks to a 29.5 kWh BYD Blade battery.
Independent front and rear suspension are also unusual features in the bakkie world, but the 200mm ground clearance and 2,500kg braked towing capacity do fall below the segment benchmarks, as does the payload of around 800kg.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
joshuatree
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Guaranteed not to be on any hijacking or stolen list.
Fashionistas with bucks can be sure they won't be targeted.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Sealion 6 pricing
FiestaST
Honorary Master
BYD Sealion 6 (2025) Price & Specs
The new BYD Sealion 6 has touched down as South Africa’s most affordable PHEV. We have pricing for this Chinese newcomer, which has a slated range of up to 1 092 km…
The new BYD Sealion 6 – known as the “Song Plus” or “Seal U” in some countries – has quietly arrived in South Africa, debuting as the local market’s most affordable plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
As we first reported in February 2025, the local Sealion 6 portfolio comprises a trio of derivatives at launch. According to our information, the line-up kicks off at R639 900, which makes this Chinese crossover Mzansi’s most affordable PHEV.
The Sealion 6 thus undercuts the 225 kW Toyota RAV4 2.5 PHEV – which is priced at R980 000, though Toyota SA Motors has yet to start actively marketing this model – by as much as R340 100. It’s also more attainable than the 342 kW Haval H6 GT PHEV that is scheduled to hit the local market towards the middle of 2025, priced at approximately R800 000.
But back to the Sealion 6, which arrives as BYD Auto SA’s 2nd PHEV after the likewise freshly launched Shark 6. The Sealion 6 is available in the Comfort, Dynamic and Premium grades. Comfort (starting at R639 900) and Dynamic (priced from R689 900) derivatives combine a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine with a front-mounted electric motor drawing urge from an 18.3 kWh battery pack.
Peak outputs for this PHEV system come in at 160 kW and 300 Nm, facilitating a 0-100 kph sprint in a claimed 8.5 seconds. All-electric range is a listed 80 km, while the overall range is slated to be as high as 1 092 km.
Meanwhile, the flagship Premium variant upgrades to a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol mill and adds a 2nd (rear-mounted) electric motor. This all-paw derivative’s maximum power and torque figures thus increase to 238 kW and 550 Nm, respectively, cutting the claimed 0-100 kph time to just 5.9 seconds (though the electric range dips to 70 km and the overall range falls to 961 km). The Premium AWD derivative is priced from R789 900.
How much does the BYD Sealion 6 cost in South Africa?
BYD Sealion 6 Comfort FWD – R639 900
BYD Sealion 6 Dynamique FWD – R689 900
BYD Sealion 6 Premium AWD – R789 900
The prices above likely include BYD Auto SA’s 5-year/100 000 km warranty and a maintenance plan with the same parameters.
The new BYD Sealion 6 has touched down as South Africa’s most affordable PHEV. We have pricing for this Chinese newcomer, which has a slated range of up to 1 092 km…
The new BYD Sealion 6 – known as the “Song Plus” or “Seal U” in some countries – has quietly arrived in South Africa, debuting as the local market’s most affordable plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
As we first reported in February 2025, the local Sealion 6 portfolio comprises a trio of derivatives at launch. According to our information, the line-up kicks off at R639 900, which makes this Chinese crossover Mzansi’s most affordable PHEV.
The Sealion 6 thus undercuts the 225 kW Toyota RAV4 2.5 PHEV – which is priced at R980 000, though Toyota SA Motors has yet to start actively marketing this model – by as much as R340 100. It’s also more attainable than the 342 kW Haval H6 GT PHEV that is scheduled to hit the local market towards the middle of 2025, priced at approximately R800 000.
But back to the Sealion 6, which arrives as BYD Auto SA’s 2nd PHEV after the likewise freshly launched Shark 6. The Sealion 6 is available in the Comfort, Dynamic and Premium grades. Comfort (starting at R639 900) and Dynamic (priced from R689 900) derivatives combine a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine with a front-mounted electric motor drawing urge from an 18.3 kWh battery pack.
Peak outputs for this PHEV system come in at 160 kW and 300 Nm, facilitating a 0-100 kph sprint in a claimed 8.5 seconds. All-electric range is a listed 80 km, while the overall range is slated to be as high as 1 092 km.
Meanwhile, the flagship Premium variant upgrades to a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol mill and adds a 2nd (rear-mounted) electric motor. This all-paw derivative’s maximum power and torque figures thus increase to 238 kW and 550 Nm, respectively, cutting the claimed 0-100 kph time to just 5.9 seconds (though the electric range dips to 70 km and the overall range falls to 961 km). The Premium AWD derivative is priced from R789 900.
How much does the BYD Sealion 6 cost in South Africa?
BYD Sealion 6 Comfort FWD – R639 900
BYD Sealion 6 Dynamique FWD – R689 900
BYD Sealion 6 Premium AWD – R789 900
The prices above likely include BYD Auto SA’s 5-year/100 000 km warranty and a maintenance plan with the same parameters.
Lawnchairman
Expert Member
Good range and R200k more than a petrol Jetour i will take anyday. Looks better than the Jetour and now to test drive one.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Agreed, the Shark & the Sealion 6 is making major inroads in Oz-land.
The 2 BYD standouts.
Have not done any research into the NZ market.
The 2 BYD standouts.
Have not done any research into the NZ market.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Lulz 
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Fully Charged Show review of the Sealion 7