With the fifth-generation DM system and e-platform 3.0 Evo, the SEAL/SEAL 07 DM-i highlights its explosive physique

BYD is a global leader in the new energy market, with annual sales exceeding 3 million vehicles. So does it have any cars that are below expectations? In fact, there are some, and the most representative one is the Seal family.

In July 2024, the sales volume of the pure electric version of the Haibao was only 700 units, and the sales volume of the DM-i version was only 6,729 units. It is a rare model among BYD's main models with monthly sales of less than 10,000 units, so it must be updated.

On August 8, BYD's new Seal family was officially launched on the market. The new Seal has a total of 4 models, priced at 175,800-239,800 yuan; the original Seal DM-i was renamed Seal 07 DM-i, with a total of 5 models launched, priced at 139,800-195,800 yuan.

After this new product launch, what changes have taken place in the overall strength of the seal family?

The new Haibao and Haibao 07 DM-i basically retain the appearance design of the current models, still using a closed front face, while Haibao 07 DM-i uses a grille composed of horizontal lines to meet the requirements of air intake and heat dissipation of plug-in hybrid models. The other aspects of the two models are not much different. Judging from the market feedback, the front face of the DM-i model is more acceptable.

The new model has a body length of 4800mm and a wheelbase of 2920mm; the body length of the Seal 07 DM-i is 4980mm and the wheelbase is 2900mm, both of which are consistent with the current models.

Both cars are positioned in the B-class, but the DM-i model is 18cm longer than the EV model, which may be because it is equipped with a plug-in hybrid system and the engine occupies a larger space. However, the wheelbase of both cars exceeds that of regular B-class cars and has actually reached the standard of C-class cars, which has better performance in terms of riding space.

In terms of interior, the new Haima has undergone major changes. The floating instrument panel on the current model has been changed to a large integrated screen. At the same time, the complicated air-conditioning outlet shape on the current model has been removed, and more straight design lines have been adopted.

The cockpit of the Haibao 07 DM-i uses more curves and looks more fashionable. But it should be noted that the layout of the buttons near the gear lever has been changed from a disc to a rectangle distributed on both sides, which is quite different from the EV version.

It can be said that there are indeed big differences between the two cars in terms of appearance and interior layout, but both cars have reached a relatively high level in terms of appearance. The Ocean Net series of models have always been known for their high appearance, and the new Seal and Seal 07 DM-i have inherited this excellent gene.

How do the two cars perform in terms of conventional configuration?

The starting price of the new Haima car is 175,800 yuan, while the starting price of Haima 07 DM-i is only 139,800 yuan, with a difference of 36,000 yuan. Therefore, the two cars have relatively large differences in configuration.

The new Haima series is equipped with common functions such as 50W mobile phone fast charging, front seat heating and ventilation, heat pump air conditioning, rear seat air outlets, temperature zone control, car air purifier, etc., but these functions can only be seen on some high-end models of Haima 07 DM-i.

In other words, BYD's positioning in configuration this time is still quite accurate. It lowers the price of the DM-i model to attract more users, but does not give it a higher configuration. If users want both a plug-in hybrid system and high-end configuration, they will need to spend about the same price as the EV version.

This difference between the two cars can also be seen in terms of intelligent driving.

Smart driving was once a rare shortcoming of BYD, the "big devil". For a long time in the past, BYD's models mainly relied on the three-electric system to attract consumers, and the smart driving was "just enough". However, with the recent launch of a series of new cars, BYD has gradually solved this problem, and the new Haibao that was launched this time is a good example.

The new Haibao is BYD's first model equipped with laser radar and BYD DiPilot 300 advanced intelligent driving assistance system. Active braking, lane departure warning, fatigue driving reminder, transparent chassis, lane change assistance, lane keeping assistance, lane centering assistance, automatic parking, remote parking, automatic lane change assistance, etc. are all standard for the whole series. At the same time, this car also provides high-speed and urban road automatic driving functions on two high-end models.

The Haibao 07 DM-i is equipped with BYD's ordinary version of DiPilot system. All models are not equipped with laser radar. It basically has L2 level driving assistance functions, but some low-end models have cancelled basic functions such as reversing vehicle side warning and lane change assistance. Automatic parking and automatic lane change assistance functions only appear on top-end models, and city and highway automatic driving are absent in the entire series.

The gap between the two cars in terms of intelligent driving is also in line with Wang Chuanfu's previous view: the intelligent driving system is an auxiliary configuration, worth a few thousand dollars, and not every user needs it. BYD still prefers to use the three-electric system to attract more people.

In terms of power, the new Haibao is the first sedan of BYD's e-platform 3.0 Evo. The whole series is equipped with SiC silicon carbide electronic control as standard. The maximum power of the single-motor version is 170kW and 230kW, and the corresponding range is 510km and 650km; the maximum power of the dual-motor version is 390kW, and the range is 600km. This car also supports 800V high-voltage fast charging, and the fast charging time is only 25 minutes.

The Haibao 07 DM-i is equipped with the fifth-generation DM system and provides two powertrains: 1.5L and 1.5T. The 1.5L engine has a maximum power of 74kW, and is equipped with a single 160kW motor. The pure electric range is 70km and 125km. The 1.5T engine has a maximum power of 115kW, and is equipped with a single 200kW motor. The pure electric range is 125km. BYD officials said that the Haibao 07 DM-i can reach a range of 2,000km when fully fueled and fully charged.

It is obvious that the new SEAL and SEAL 07 DM-i both have good performance in terms of power, but relatively speaking, the fifth-generation DM system is more popular.

At present, most users are still concerned about the range of pure electric models, and BYD's DM-i models have always had higher sales. Although the fuel consumption of the Haibao 07 DM-i is higher than that of the EV version, it perfectly solves the problem of range anxiety.

The users of the new Seal and Seal 07 DM-i are mainly family users, who have relatively high requirements for vehicle cost and cruising range, but relatively speaking, the "priority" of cruising range is higher than vehicle cost.

The fuel consumption is high, so just drive less; but if you go out to do something and the battery runs out and you can't find a charging station, it will be very embarrassing. If nothing unexpected happens, the sales of the new Haibao will still be difficult to reach the level of Haibao 07 DM-i.

Overall, the performance of the new Seal and Seal 07 DM-i is still good, with a significant improvement compared to the current models. This new launch should change the previous passive situation of the Seal family and become the real main model of BYD Ocean Network.

In general, the new Sea Seal and Sea Seal 07 DM-i have strong overall strength. With "magic weapons" such as the e-platform 3.0 Evo and the fifth-generation DM system, they have the potential to become blockbusters. If nothing unexpected happens, there will be no problem for the sales of the two cars to surpass the current models. The sales of Ocean Network are expected to reach a new level as a result.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.