Updates and price cuts: what’s new with the BYD Seagull
The BYD Seagull is the Chinese market counterpart to the Dolphin Surf in the European market. As the Seagull, the small electric car now receives a facelift that increases its size for added comfort. Whether the same can be expected for the Dolphin Surf remains uncertain for now. Here’s what’s new with the Seagull.
Image: BYD
The compact car, sold in Europe as the BYD Dolphin Surf, is marketed in China as the Seagull. BYD has now given it a facelift that increases the mini EV’s dimensions, providing more interior space and making the optional five-seat configuration more practical.
Seagull moves up a class – with a facelift
Specifically, the updated model now measures 4.21 metres in length, 1.81 metres in width, and 1.57 metres in height, with a wheelbase of 2.65 metres. This makes it 42.5 cm longer than the pre-facelift version and increases the wheelbase by 15 cm. The frunk now offers 94 litres of space, while the rear boot grows to a maximum volume of 1,380 litres. Comfort has also improved, as the seats can now be optionally equipped with ventilation, heating, and massage functions.
The update also introduces the latest generation of the Blade Battery, which, in higher trim levels, supports ultra-fast ‘Flash-Charging’. This allows the 39.2-kWh battery to charge from 10 to 70 per cent in just five minutes. The maximum range is 420 km according to the highly optimistic Chinese CLTC cycle. The base version features a 30.1-kWh battery with a maximum CLTC range of 320 km.
In China, private buyers who purchase the Seagull facelift with Flash-Charging capability can also use BYD’s corresponding Flash-Charging points free of charge for one year.
New chassis, more Power, lower Price
With the facelift, the Seagull switches from front-wheel drive and a twist-beam rear axle to rear-wheel drive and a multi-link rear suspension. The powertrain is also more powerful, with an 85 to 95 kW motor (depending on the trim level), compared to the previous 55 kW. This allows it to reach a top speed of 150 km/h. Optionally, the Seagull can also be equipped in China with a LiDAR system and corresponding advanced driver assistance systems.
The revised Seagull is available in five trim levels: Vitality, Freedom, Ease, Flight, and Smart. The entry-level Vitality version starts at a price of 65,900 yuan, which is approx. €8,800 euros. Before the facelift, the price was 69,900 yuan (approx. €9,330).
Image: BYD
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Currently, BYD is not the only automaker lowering prices in China. These price cuts are part of a market-wide price war: amid slowing market growth and intense competition, both domestic and international manufacturers – including Geely, Li Auto, Chery, and VW – are using facelifts to significantly reduce entry-level prices.
It is not yet known whether the German version of the Seagull, the Dolphin Surf, will also receive a facelift soon. The current version in Germany costs 23,490 euros in the base Active trim, though strong manufacturer discounts currently bring the promotional price down to €14,190 euros.