BYD Seal U Plug-In Hybrid SUV Confirmed For India Launch

BYD India has officially confirmed that it will introduce its first plug-in hybrid SUV in the country later this year. The upcoming BYD Seal U, sold as the Sealion 6 in some international markets, will expand the brand’s portfolio beyond fully electric vehicles and bring its advanced DM-i hybrid technology to Indian buyers. The Seal U is powered by BYD’s DM-i Super Plug-in Hybrid system, which combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with dual electric motors and an 18.3 kWh battery pack. Unlike conventional hybrids, the system follows an electric-first approach where the electric motors handle most driving duties while the petrol engine primarily acts as a generator to recharge the battery when required. According to BYD, the petrol engine delivers a thermal efficiency of 43.04%, while the electric motors operate with a claimed efficiency of 97.5%. This setup enables the SUV to achieve a fuel efficiency figure of 20.80 km/l while offering a combined driving range of more than 1,200 km on a full tank and battery charge. The hybrid system can intelligently switch between multiple operating modes, including pure electric driving, series hybrid mode and parallel hybrid mode, depending on driving conditions and power requirements. The Seal U also supports Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, allowing the battery to power external electrical devices. In terms of performance, the Seal U packs a combined output of 319 BHP and 550 Nm of torque. The SUV can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds, making it one of the quickest electrified SUVs in its segment. BYD also claims an electric-only driving range of up to 126 km, enabling many daily commutes to be completed without using petrol. The Seal U is a five-seater SUV and will be offered with both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations globally. With the addition of plug-in hybrid technology, BYD aims to attract customers looking for EV-like efficiency without concerns related to charging infrastructure and long-distance travel. The launch of the Seal U will mark BYD’s entry into India’s growing plug-in hybrid segment and further strengthen the brand’s electrified vehicle lineup in the country.