[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] BYD has launched the new Seal 06 electric sedan in China, similar in size to the Tesla Model 3, intensifying price competition. Its starting price is only about half that of the Model 3, and it also offers ultra-fast charging and lidar-based driver assistance features, likely adding to competition in China’s electric sedan market.

Electrek, an electric vehicle media outlet, reported on Aug. 12 that BYD unveiled the 2027 Seal 06 in China and began sales of both battery electric and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions. The lineup has 12 trims, with the EV starting at 109,900 yuan and the PHEV at 99,900 yuan.

In contrast, the base rear-wheel-drive Tesla Model 3 sold in China is priced at 235,500 yuan. The Seal 06 EV’s starting price is less than half of the Model 3’s.

It has also strengthened charging performance. The Seal 06 applies BYD’s second-generation Blade battery and flash-charging technology. BYD explained it takes 5 minutes to charge from 10 percent to 70 percent, and 9 minutes from 10 percent to 97 percent.

Its driver assistance features also stand out. The Seal 06 is equipped with BYD’s “God’s Eye B” system. This is the first time God’s Eye B is being applied to a sedan in this price range. Using roof-mounted lidar, it supports navigation-based assisted driving in cities and on highways, and it also offers an intelligent remote parking function.

Inside, a 15.6-inch central infotainment display and an 8.8-inch driver instrument panel come as standard. Higher trims also include a 12-inch head-up display. It is a strategy to actively expand premium digital specifications even in lower-priced sedans.

The EV model uses a second-generation Blade LFP battery and offers a driving range of 530 km or 630 km under China’s CLTC standard. It uses a front-wheel single-motor setup with two maximum power outputs of 120 kW and 240 kW.

The PHEV model applies BYD’s fifth-generation DM system. Its all-electric driving range is up to 320 km, and its total driving range using both engine and battery is up to 2,307 km.

The body measures 4,870 mm in length, 1,890 mm in width and 1,495 mm in height, with a 2,820 mm wheelbase. It is a mid-size sedan comparable to the Model 3. The rear-wheel-drive Model 3 can travel up to 634 km under China’s CLTC standard.

With the Seal 06, BYD is pursuing a strategy that promotes not only price but also charging speed, driving range and driver assistance features as competitive strengths. By offering a Model 3-class body at a starting price in the low 100,000 yuan range and widening the price gap with Tesla, price competition in China’s mid-size electric sedan market is expected to intensify further.