BYD Sea Lion 08 Launched: Range-Up to 900km, Prices from approx. $26,361

BYD officially launched the Sea Lion 08 on September 2, a new mid-to-large SUV offered in pure-electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains. Pricing for the China market runs from approx. $26,361 (229,900 RMB) to approx. $38,750 (279,900 RMB).

The Sea Lion 08 adopts BYD's Ocean美学 2.0 design language, featuring a hood with dual character lines, a full-width LED daytime running light strip, and split headlamp clusters.

Dimensions and Interior

The vehicle measures 5,115mm in length, 1,999mm in width, and 1,800mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,030mm. It is available in five-seat and six-seat layouts.

Inside, a 17.3-inch central touchscreen is paired with mother-of-pearl trim and extensive soft-touch padding. The SEV version offers a 201-liter frunk and a 943-liter rear cargo area. BYD says the cabin includes 53 storage spaces across three privacy zones, a driver eyewear compartment, a 7.3-liter smart refrigerator, and dedicated phone slots.

Pricing and Versions

• BEV 800km six-seat AWD flagship: approx. $38,750 (279,900 RMB)
• BEV 900km six-seat premium: approx. $36,097 (259,900 RMB)
• BEV 800km five-seat AWD flagship: approx. $36,097 (259,900 RMB)
• BEV 900km five-seat premium: approx. $33,194 (239,900 RMB)
• PHEV 350km six-seat AWD flagship: approx. $37,486 (269,900 RMB)
• PHEV 400km six-seat premium: approx. $34,708 (249,900 RMB)
• PHEV 350km five-seat AWD flagship: approx. $34,708 (249,900 RMB)
• PHEV 400km five-seat premium: approx. $26,361 (229,900 RMB)

Powertrain and Range

The BEV version offers a single motor with outputs of 320kW (low-power) or 370kW (high-power), plus a dual-motor AWD variant producing 215kW front and 370kW rear. The PHEV pairs a 1.5T engine (115kW) with dual motors (200kW each). Both versions use BYD's second-generation Blade Battery with ultra-fast charging technology.

CLTC range reaches 900km for the top BEV and 400km electric-only (1,650km combined) for the PHEV. The PHEV's fuel consumption is rated at 4.6L per 100km (NEDC) in depleted-battery mode.

Chassis and Technology

The Sea Lion 08 is equipped with DiSus-A closed dual-chamber air suspension with road preview, rear-wheel steering for a 4.95-meter turning radius, and full-scenario parking assistance including auto parking and remote-controlled parking via smartphone.

It features Tian Shen Zhi Yan 5.0 intelligent driver-assistance, a nine-vertical-thirteen-horizontal cage body structure, and 11 standard airbags. BYD claims the vehicle can safely stop from 160km/h after a tire blowout on a wet straight and from 140km/h in a wet curve.