Update and price reduction: This is new for the BYD Seagull
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Automobile
Update and Price Cut: New Features on the BYD Seagull
The BYD Seagull is the Chinese market equivalent of the Dolphin Surf in Europe. The small electric vehicle has now received a facelift that increases its size for greater comfort. It remains uncertain whether the same will happen to the Dolphin Surf. This is new for the Seagull.
Image: BYD
By Victoria Zippmann
21.10.2026 - 12:00 Uhr
- [BYD](https://www.electrive.net/tag/byd/ "BYD")
- [BYD Seagull](https://www.electrive.net/tag/byd-seagull/ "BYD Seagull")
- [BYD Dolphin Surf](https://www.electrive.net/tag/byd-dolphin-surf/ "BYD Dolphin Surf")
The compact car, which is offered in Europe as the BYD Dolphin Surf, is available in China under the name Seagull at dealerships. Now BYD has given it a facelift that increases its size, providing more interior space, which should also make the optional five-seater configuration practical.
Seagull moves up a class with facelift
Specifically, it measures 4.21 meters in length, 1.81 meters in width, and 1.57 meters in height, with a wheelbase of 2.65 meters. This makes it 42.5 cm longer than the previous facelift model and offers 15 cm more wheelbase. The trunk has a capacity of 94 liters, while the rear cargo space increases to a maximum volume of 1,380 liters. Comfort has also improved, as seats are now optionally available with ventilation, heating, and massage functions.
In addition, the update comes with the latest generation of Blade batteries. Higher trims also feature ultra-fast “flash charging,” which allows the 39.2-kWh battery to be charged from 10% to 70% in just five minutes. The maximum range is 420 km according to the highly optimistic Chinese CLTC testing standards. The base model comes equipped with a 30.1-kWh battery, providing a maximum CLTC range of 320 km.
Those in China who purchase the Seagull Facelift with flash-charging functionality as an individual are also entitled to free use of BYD’s corresponding flash-charging stations for one year.
New Chassis, More Power, Lower Price
With the facelift, the Seagull now features a rear-wheel drive system and a multi-link rear axle, replacing its previous front-wheel drive and torsion beam axle. The powertrain is also more powerful, equipped with an engine ranging from 85 to 95 kW (depending on the trim level), up from 55 kW in the previous model. This enables it to reach a top speed of 150 km/h. Optionally, the Seagull in China can also be equipped with a LiDAR system and related assistance systems.
The revised version of the Seagull is available in five different trim levels: Vitality, Freedom, Ease, Flight, and Smart. The entry-level Vitality version starts at 65,900 Yuan, which is approximately 8,800 euros. Before the facelift, the price was 69,900 Yuan (around 9,330 euros).
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Currently, BYD is not the only automaker reducing prices in China. These price cuts are part of a market-wide price war: Facing slowing market growth and intense competitive pressure, domestic and international manufacturers—including Geely, Li Auto, Chery, and VW—are strategically using facelifts to significantly lower entry prices.
It is unknown whether the German version of the Seagull, the Dolphin Surf, will also receive a facelift soon. The current version available here costs 23,490 euros in the base Active model, but due to strong manufacturer discounts, the current promotional price is 14,190 euros.
www.byd.com, carnewschina.com
Keywords
- BYD
- BYD Seagull
- BYD Dolphin Surf
- Facelift
- China
- BEV
12 Comments
On “Update and Price Cut: This is new with the BYD Seagull”
CHris
21.10.2026 at 12:13
In what world is this still considered a facelift? This is a completely new model! Even though BYD says something else in the press release.
Replies
AG
21.10.2026 at 14:59
That was my first thought too!
Replies
Gregor
21.10.2026 at 12:28
A good car. The range is too low; European compact cars perform better in this regard. I’m looking forward to the Peugeot e-208, which is expected to have a WLTP range of 485 km. Range is more important than charging speed, but if the car is competitively priced, there’s little room for error. This is how we can advance electric mobility with innovations for the mass market. Other, especially hyped brands, should take note. But it seems they’re more focused on shareholder value and AI rather than customer value.
Answers
Peter
21.10.2026 at 14:29
The range of a compact car is balanced by fast DC charging. Usually, you charge it using household electricity at around 11kW while commuting to work or shopping — the battery is more than enough for that. If you need longer ranges, you need true fast charging, not VW’s sluggish version. VW combines a small battery with slow DC charging, resulting in the worst of both worlds. A smaller battery (cheaper) but fast DC charging is exactly what makes the difference. It’s a shame that innovation comes from China again rather than Germany.
Answers
Markus
21.10.2026 at 16:14
The ID.Polo has up to 454 km WLTP range and a 23-minute charging time. Where in Germany/Europe, in this vehicle class, can I order a model with significantly higher range or much faster charging times?
Answers
Gregor
21.10.2026 at 17:35
Indeed, VW offers the best overall electric vehicle products in the segment of compact cars and, essentially, also in the subsegment of small cars. I mention compact cars here because modern 800V vehicles like the Mercedes GLA and BMW iX1 bring more car features and technology to this class.
Answers
Adrian
21.10.2026 at 13:17
Is the range of the e-208 confirmed anywhere? At the Paris Auto Show, Florian Huettl mentioned around 340 km and 410 km for the electric Corsa. Since both models are supposed to be based on the same platform, I’m a bit puzzled by the claim that 485 km is possible in the e-208.
Answers
Gregor
21.10.2026 at 15:04
The current Peugeot e-208 already has a WLTP range of 432km. The new model will never have a lower range. For years, there have been rumors about a WLTP range of 500km for the new platform of the Peugeot e-208, along with battery capacities of up to 62kWh net / 65kWh gross. Some rumors even suggested 600km and 83kWh net and 87kWh gross, but anyone who seriously studies electric mobility, especially considering the economic landscape in the compact car segment, knows these are figures for a compact car, not a small car. Alongside the discussions, there have already been announcements, previews, and insights into the new platform, the e-208 “Polygon” design study, and the upcoming production vehicle. Nothing concrete, though. Forums also saw discussions on this topic, where it was agreed quite early on that the range would be around 500km with battery sizes up to 60kWh net.
The current Peugeot e-208 achieves 432km of WLTP range with ~51.4kWh of net capacity (listed as 51kWh, with a gross capacity of 54kWh), which corresponds to an energy efficiency of 11.9kWh per 100km. It is assumed this figure will be maintained at least. With a 60kWh battery, the range would reach 504km at the same efficiency level. Currently, the range seems to be stabilizing around 485km–487km, with the battery capacity likely at 58kWh, resulting in an efficiency of 11.9kWh/100km. The ID. Polo achieves 11.5kWh–11.4kWh/100km in WLTP range tests, making it more efficient. This was predictable, as German manufacturers build the most efficient and best overall packages available. However, in a compact car, long-distance capability is somewhat limited, especially since fuel consumption rises significantly on the highway. In such cases, greater range and battery capacity provide a comfort advantage. A drawback.The key advantage of the Peugeot e-208 could be its charging speed, as Stellantis has not been known for fast charging times. Volkswagen offers the ID. Polo with a charging time of 22-23 minutes, which was previously unattainable in this class (currently the BYD mentioned here is faster, but it isn’t yet available in Germany). Since it only takes up to 24 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%, the Peugeot e-208 is absolutely usable as a compact car.Answers
ohman
10/21/2026 at 12:32
The design remains comparable, but an increase of 42 cm!? I’m confused as to why it isn’t sold as a separate model.
Answers
Gregor
10/21/2026 at 12:48
Because the other models in the lineup have also changed significantly. The BYD Yuan Plus, and here the BYD Atto 3 as well, have grown enormously and are now mid-size SUVs rather than compact cars. BYD’s issue is the range of their vehicles; otherwise, with the latest generation released this year, you get a lot of car for your money.
Answers
Gregor
10/21/2026 at 12:35
The maximum 420km CLTC range corresponds to about 340km WLTP, making it comparable to the entry-level models of European competitors. That’s why it was said the range is only okay, but the rest of the features are impressive. A full 800V system in a compact car has not existed anywhere else in the world yet. German manufacturers are at least moving forward with 800V in their compact cars (Mercedes GLA and the upcoming BMW iX1). It’s a shame Volkswagen is facing so many issues with their 800V platform; otherwise, an ID. Golf with 800V would also be available soon.
Answers
David
10/21/2026 at 2:54 PM
VW can take its time with the SSP without any pressure. The competition doesn’t offer 800 V in this class, nor does BYD. With superior offerings based on the MEB platform, what’s wrong with continuing production using this proven foundation? Many companies had actually imagined the rise of electric mobility to happen faster—VW included. But now that it’s underway, it’s absolutely sensible to keep using the financially depreciated platform and production facilities that have been in use for so long. Only VW has a consistent platform strategy in electric vehicles, and these scale benefits are now truly coming into play. And it can’t be said that customers aren’t responding—rather, there’s a real hype surrounding electric vehicles from the VW group. BYD, on the other hand, is adapting to fierce competition in China, a country where
Private Wallboxes are extremely rare among consumers who buy new electric cars today. That’s why charging there is similar to refueling at a gas station. Here, they barely have time to breathe, otherwise there wouldn’t be these price cuts. 14,190 euros is certainly a good price. But obviously, buyers still don’t line up for them. At home, people usually have a Wallbox, so they don’t face these issues at all. It’s assumed that 10 million new car buyers still haven’t installed a Wallbox, even though they could. Meanwhile, more and more people are buying electric cars without their own Wallbox, as cities focus on shopping and sports infrastructure in this area. More and more supermarkets even have HPC charging stations.Answers
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