Upcoming BYD Sealion 6 Plug-In Hybrid Spied Testing In India

World’s leading electric car manufacturer, BYD (Build Your Dreams) is primarily known for its electric vehicles in India. However, BYD is set to break its electric streak and launch its first ever PHEV in India. PHEV stands for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle and BYD’s first PHEV for India is likely to be Sealion 6 and it has been spied testing in India with its proprietary DM-i setup.

Upcoming BYD Sealion 6 Plug-In Hybrid Spied

For some time now, there have been rumors and speculations suggesting BYD will launch its first ever PHEV in India. Atto 2 and Sealion 6 were obvious candidates as both of them have been spied testing on Indian public roads before.

Now, a BYD Sealion 6 (also called Seal U in some markets), has been spied testing in India again, but this time it bears clear indication that it is a PHEV packing BYD’s proprietary DM-i technology. There are giant “BYD DM-i” and “Super Plug-In Hybrid” decals on the sides and then “BYD DM-i” and “World’s No.1” decals on the rear.

Thus confirming that it is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, featuring the sought-after DM-i technology. The powertrain of Sealion 6 DM-i consists of a 1.5L Turbo Petrol engine that is mated to two electric motors, one starter motor and one traction motor. This engine has thermal efficiency of 43.04%, which the company claims is the highest in the world.

The motors boast 97.5% efficiency and they draw juice from an 18.3 kWh battery pack consisting of BYD’s famed Blade cells. With the fuel tank full and battery fully charged, BYD Sealion 6 DM-i promises a total range of 1,200 km. Pure electric range is 126 km on one charge. This same system is expected to make its way to Indian market.

What to expect?

Where dimensions are concerned, BYD Sealion 6 PHEV measures 4,775 mm in length, 2,085 mm in width, 1,670 mm in height and has a 2,765 mm long wheelbase. One look at the Sealion 6, one can easily associate it with other BYD vehicles falling in the Ocean series, including Sealion 7, which is on sale in India.

However, Sealion 6 looks more European with its sharp creases and has a more upright and SUV-ish silhouette, which makes it more practical than the sporty Sealion 7. Rotating touchscreen on the inside, TFT instrument cluster, advanced ADAS, exquisite materials, large boot space and other strengths are expected to make their way to Indian market.

BYD India has not confirmed when Sealion 6 PHEV will launch in Indian market. However, 2026 seems to be the year. The company is expected to bring Sealion PHEV into the country via the CBU route and it will take on the upcoming JSW branded Jetour T2 PHEV.