Slated for a release in China during the last quarter of this year, the new BYD Seal models are larger than the Model 3 and come with cell-to-chassis blade battery packs that offer more extended range than Tesla's electric car. Above all, the BYD Seal is said to be much cheaper, too, with its top-end model with a range quoted at just under 700Kms costing as much as the base Model 3.
BYD, which recently became the first to give up on solely gas-powered vehicles, just lifted the curtains over its hotly anticipated Atto 4 or locally known as the Seal, plans to take on the Tesla Model 3 in the affordable EV segment. While the Model 3's rampant price increases have taken it out of the affordable range, the Atto 4 in China will start from 215,533 yen ($45,320 AUD ) in its RWD version with a quoted 544km range.
The top-end BYD Atto 4 ( Seal ) with AWD technology and 648 km range will cost 294,749yen ($62,000AUD ). For comparison, in the same market, Tesla charges for the entry-level Model 3 with the same base range as much as for the top-end Seal and that's with the government subsidies. The BYD Atto4 (Seal's ) dimensions are larger than those of the Model 3 to boot, and it comes with a cell-to-body battery packaging technology that incorporates the cells into the frame.
Coupled with BYD's innovative blade battery solution, this structure has allowed for a much safer electric vehicle with double the torsion rigidity and 50% better protection in case of frontal collisions. BYD touts that, while "while undergoing nail penetration tests, the Blade Battery emitted neither smoke, nor fire after being penetrated, and its surface temperature only reached 30 to 60°C." The pack was also "subjected to other extreme test conditions, such as being crushed, bent, being heated in a furnace to 300°C and overcharged by 260%. None of these resulted in a fire or explosion," BYD adds, while current high-nickel performance EV batteries "exceeded 500°C and violently burned" during the nail test.
The BYD Atto 4 (Seal) models are slated for release in China during the last quarter of this year with up to 150 kW fast charging capability that pumps the battery from 30% to 80% in half an hour. BYD have stated they already has 60,000 pre-orders on hand and said it will gradually be increasing its production capacity for the Seal to 30,000 units per month, presenting a formidable competition to the Tesla Model 3 there.
And finally, the BYD Atto 4 is set to arrive in Australia in early 2023, stay tuned for more accurate pricing and local spec closer to its launch date.
Learn more about the BYD `Atto4
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