BYD has confirmed the Seal U as India's first DM-i hybrid model, expected to arrive by the end of 2026 at a price of around Rs 45-50 lakh
The SUV pairs a 1.5L turbocharged petrol engine with dual electric motors and an 18.3 kWh battery for a claimed range exceeding 1,200 km
BYD has officially confirmed that the Seal U will be the first model in India to carry its DM-i (Dual Mode Intelligent) plug-in hybrid technology.
The launch is slated for before the end of 2026, with the expected price sitting in the Rs 45 lakh to Rs 50 lakh (ex-showroom) bracket.
When it arrives, the Seal U will go up against the upcoming Jetour T2 PHEV, which is also due for the Diwali season.
DM-i Hybrid Tech and What It Means
The DM-i system at the heart of the Seal U is what makes it genuinely interesting. BYD claims the technology achieves a thermal efficiency of 43.04 per cent, which the company describes as industry-leading.
The setup pairs a 1.5-litre direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine with two electric motors. One motor serves as the primary traction unit, while the other functions as a starter generator.
An 18.3 kWh battery pack supports the entire powertrain, and BYD claims the combined system delivers a driving range of over 1,200 km.
Three Drive Modes for Every Situation
The Seal U operates across three distinct modes depending on the situation. In pure EV mode, the car runs entirely on electricity, making it well-suited for city driving and daily commutes.
In HEV Series mode, the petrol engine acts as a generator, replenishing the battery while the electric motor continues to drive the wheels.
When more performance is demanded, HEV Parallel mode kicks in, allowing the petrol engine to directly power the wheels alongside the electric motor.
Dimensions, Performance and Boot Space
Globally, the Seal U is offered with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The SUV sprints from 0 to 100 kmph in 5.9 seconds.
Its dimensions stand at 4,775 mm in length, 1,890 mm in width and 1,670 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,765 mm. Boot space is rated at 425 litres, expandable to 1,440 litres with the rear seats folded.
Features That Match Its Ambitions
The Seal U comes well-appointed inside. The centrepiece of the cabin is a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment system, backed by a digital instrument cluster, 4G connectivity and over-the-air software updates.
Comfort features include ventilated and heated front seats, wireless phone charging, dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting with music synchronisation and a floating centre console.
On the safety front, the SUV gets multiple airbags, ABS with EBD, a 360-degree camera, tyre pressure monitoring and hill hold and descent control.
With strong range figures, a well-rounded feature list and competitive pricing, the BYD Seal U looks set to shake up the premium PHEV space in India well before 2026 draws to a close.
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