A very exciting period on the domestic car market at the beginning of this week was marked by BYD. The well-known Chinese car manufacturer, which has been officially present on the domestic market for a little less than a year, is busily continuing to expand its offer, as well as its sales network. We reported on new showrooms in Split and Zagreb, and now it will be more and more difficult for them to accommodate all the models on offer in these premises. Namely, BYD has prepared new models that are now on official sale. It is mainly about plug-in hybrids, which are being increasingly emphasized. The new models in BYD’s offer are Atto 2 DM-i, Atto 2 Comfort, Sealion 5 DM-i and Seal 6 DM-i and Seal 6 DM-i Touring.
On this occasion, David Kušanić, deputy country manager for Croatia and Slovenia, emphasized the importance of the Croatian market for the further growth of the brand: “Regardless of its size, the Croatian market is just as important for BYD as the other countries in which we do business, and we look at it through a long-term development perspective.” We bring the latest technology, innovation focused on real customer needs and advanced Super DM technology, drawing on nearly two decades of electrification experience. In the coming period, we are placing a special strategic focus on plug-in hybrid models, because it is in this segment that we see the greatest growth potential and the fastest transition of customers towards electrified mobility.’
Let’s now briefly present what is new in the showrooms of this Chinese manufacturer. The long-awaited Atto 2 Comfort model has arrived. It is a fully electric compact SUV model 433 centimeters long, 183 cm wide and 167.5 cm high. The wheelbase is 262 cm. It comes with a Blade battery with a capacity of 64.8 kWh. This model has a declared range of up to about 430 km, and with DC charging up to 155 kW, the battery can be charged from 30% to 80% in about 19 minutes. It is powered by an electric motor of 150 kW and 310 Nm, which ensures dynamic performance. However, much more hope is placed in Atto 2, which has the addition of DM in its name. This means that it is a plug-in model. Here, the Super DM technology stands out, which combines an electric drive and a gasoline engine for maximum efficiency and flexibility. Two versions of the Super Hybrid drive have been prepared.
In the Active version, the capacity of the Blade battery is 7.8 kWh, and the maximum power is 122 kW/166 HP. This version has an EV range of 40 km and a total range of 930 km. There is also the Atto 2 DM-i Boost which comes with an 18 kWh battery and develops 156 kW/212 hp, which is enough to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds. The larger battery ensures a longer range on all-electric drive of 90 km and a total range of 1000 km. It is also equipped with a more powerful AC charger with a power of 6.6 kW, which enables the battery to be charged from 15 to 100% in three hours when connected to a three-phase AC charger with a power of 32 A. The Active version has an AC charger with a power of 3.3 kW.
On the occasion of the launch of the new model, BYD has prepared a promotional offer. The electric Atto 2 can thus be purchased for 32,990 euros, which is four thousand euros cheaper than the regular price. The plug-in edition in Active equipment is available at a price of 25,490 euros. Otherwise, the recommended retail price is 29,990 euros, which means that there is a special discount of 4,500 euros.
Another SUV model
Furthermore, there is the SUV model Sealion 5 DM-i which is 473.8 centimeters long, 186 cm wide and 171 cm high, while the relatively long wheelbase of 271.2 cm ensures plenty of legroom for passengers on the back bench. The front part is dominated by sharp lines under the full-LED headlights, thin LED daytime running lights, a ‘textured’ grille and the lower part of the bumper, which contributes to the wider impression of the car.
On the dashboard there is an 8.8-inch digital screen with all the information important for driving and a 12.8-inch high-resolution touch screen with BYD’s latest multimedia system. It supports ‘Hi BYD’ voice commands, enables connection with iOS and Android devices and displays useful shortcuts on a customizable interface. In contrast to the complicated use of the screen for simple functions, heating and ventilation can be easily controlled while driving: it is enough to place three fingers on the screen and drag horizontally to adjust the blowing speed or vertically to change the temperature.
There is 463 liters of luggage space, which increases to 1410 liters of usable space by folding the rear seats (40:60). At the same time, the trunk floor remains flat, which makes it easier to load heavy and bulky items. For added convenience, the Design version comes with an electric tailgate.
Sealion 5 DM-i is available in two editions. Both levels use DM technology, and the total power of the system is 156 kW, regardless of battery capacity. The Comfort version is equipped with a 12.96 kWh battery that enables a range of up to 62 km in electric mode, while the range in mixed driving according to the WLTP is 992 km. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 7.7 seconds, and the maximum speed is 170 km/h. Another option is the Design version, which comes with a larger 18.3 kWh battery. This increases the electric range to 86 km, and the range in the mixed driving cycle to 1016 km. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is 8.1 seconds, while the maximum speed is identical.
The Comfort version is now available at a special price of 28,990 euros, which includes a four thousand euro discount. The richer and larger EV range in the Design edition is four thousand euros more expensive and costs 32,990 euros (here, too, a 4 thousand euro discount is included). Blue is the basic color, while 850 euros must be paid for white, black and gray colors.
Seal 6 DMs as sedan, but also station wagon
Finally, there is the Seal 6 DM-i model, a sedan measuring 484 cm long, 187.5 cm wide and 149.5 cm high. Seal 6 DM-i was created on a platform with a wheelbase of 279 cm. A very spacious passenger cabin is provided for five adult passengers, with plenty of legroom and headroom for passengers on the back bench. The volume of the trunk is 491 liters, which can be increased to 1370 liters by folding the backrests. This model is also prepared in a station wagon version, which has the suffix Touring in its name. The trunk volume of this model up to the shelf behind the rear seats is 500 l, or 675 l up to the roof. By lowering the rear bench, it increases to 1535 liters. The electric tailgate can also be opened with a button on the key.
The Seal 6 DMi is based on DM (Dual Mode) technology, which combines the advantages of driving an electric vehicle – smoothness and responsiveness – with the flexibility of a petrol-electric hybrid system developed independently by BYD. It features several innovative solutions exclusive to BYD, including two high-revving electric motors with an integrated controller, a Blade battery and a 1.5-liter Xiaoyun gasoline engine with a high thermal efficiency of up to 43%.
As its name suggests, the Super Hybrid DM has two modes of operation: EV, in which the wheels are driven exclusively by the electric motor, or HEV, in which it operates the same way most of the time. In both cases, the gasoline engine charges the battery and the electric motor via an inverter, so the car has the responsiveness of a pure electric vehicle. In situations where the driver needs more power, the HEV mode can be changed from series to parallel in which it combines the power of the gasoline engine and the electric motor.
The drive system operates in electric mode most of the time, with the version with the larger Blade battery offering up to 105 km of electric-only range. Intelligent system monitoring (‘i’ from the name DM-i) increases efficiency, so the range goes up to 1505 km with a fully charged battery and a full fuel tank. The Super Hybrid DM can also boast of powerful performance. Namely, all versions of the Seal 6 DMi model can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 9 seconds and achieve a maximum speed of 180 km/h. It should be noted that the Super Hybrid DM technology uses the Blade battery for bidirectional charging. In this way, you can charge devices such as a portable grill, an air compressor, a coffee machine or decorative lights with a power of up to 3.3 kW. With this feature, these models are adapted to the active lifestyles of a wide range of customers.
The Seal 6 DMi is available in two versions of the Super Hybrid drive. In the Boost version, the capacity of the Blade battery is 10.08 kWh, and the maximum power is 135 kW. It is the version with the greatest range according to the WLTP, of as much as 1505 km, or 1350 km for the Touring. In the Comfort version, it is powered by a more powerful engine (156 kW) and has a larger battery (19 kWh). Equipped in this way, the Seal 6 DMi can travel longer distances in EV mode, 105 km or 100 km for the station wagon. The combined range is 1455 km and 1350 km respectively.
Each version of the Seal 6 DMi model comes standard with a warranty of 6 years on the vehicle and 8 years on the battery and electric motor. The Boost equipment level is available at a special price of 32,990 euros. This includes a 4 thousand euro discount. Comfort normally costs 43,000 euros, and its price is currently reduced to 35,990 euros. The station wagon Touring can currently be obtained in the Boost equipment level for 33,990 euros (including a 4,500 euro discount), while the Comfort currently costs 36,990 euros (otherwise its price is 44,500 euros). In addition to all the new models mentioned today, a Greenway card for charging the battery worth 500 euros is also available as a gift.
BYD also reported that they had started cooperation with the young popular singer Jakov Jozinović. Namely, Jakov became the ambassador of the BYD brand in Croatia. The cooperation is aimed at bringing innovative technologies closer to a wider audience and promoting sustainable mobility through a modern, urban lifestyle. As an ambassador, Jozinović will represent the values of the brand through his projects and performances.