This post was originally published on Autocar
Chinese EV purveyor expands into PHEV market with large family SUV
The rapid growth of ambitious Chinese firm BYD in the UK continues apace.After a year of selling EVs in the UK (the Atto 3 crossover, Seal saloon and Dolphin supermini), the Chinese manufacturer is now entering the plug-in hybrid market with the BYD Seal U family SUV.It’s the first of several PHEVs that it will introduce over the next few years, but this isn’t new ground for the brand. Back in 2008, it was the first manufacturer to mass-produce a PHEV. Called the F3DM, it was a bit of a commercial flop. But the game has moved on a great deal since then, and now PHEVs are in the mainstream.The Seal U is very much aimed at family SUV owners who aren’t quite ready to make the full switch to electricity yet. Rivals include PHEV versions of the Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4.BYD Seal U DM-i range at a glanceThe Seal U faces some stiff competition from the PHEV versions of the Ford Kuga, MG HS and Toyota RAV, and it has a big claim to live up to: BYD says it’s the most economical car in the class.All Seal U DM-i models are plug-in hybrid, with single- and dual-motor options, ranging from 215bhp to 319bhp. Each version uses a smart single-speed transmission.VersionPowerSeal U DM-i Boost215bhpSeal U DM-i Comfort215bhpSeal U DM-i Design319bhp