Latest news with #Sealion6DM-i
AsiaOne
6 days ago
- Automotive
- AsiaOne
BYD Sealion 6 rolls into Singapore, Lifestyle News
Think BYD only makes electric cars? You might want to reconsider that assumption. After first embarking on a 1,300km-long teaser road trip from Singapore to Kuantan and back down, the plug-in hybrid BYD Sealion 6 DM-i has officially been launched in Singapore. Its splashy local launch event saw more than 400 guests in attendance at Shangri-La Singapore on Wednesday afternoon (July 16), where they were reminded of BYD's growing market dominance in Singapore. But back to the main headline this time. While the Sealion 6 DM-i sports a similar visual outlook to the Sealion 7 with its bracket-like head lights, it swims into uncharted waters for BYD in Singapore by marking its first model ever to have a combustion engine under the hood. 'DM-i', which stands for 'Dual Mode - Intelligent', references the car's plug-in hybrid powertrain, which can switch seamlessly between a highly-efficient 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine and a 145kW electric motor fed by an 18.3kWh Blade Battery (or rely on both together). The latter gives the car an electric-only range of up to 80km, and impressively, supports DC charging. Combined peak output from the DM-i Super Hybrid system stands at a healthy 160kW (215bhp) and 300Nm. If you're wondering how exactly the Sealion 6 DM-i stands out within the BYD family, driving range is most certainly its calling card when stacked against all of its other fully-electric siblings. BYD Singapore states that under local driving conditions, the SUV is capable of a "long cruising range" of more than 1,200km when fully refuelled and with its battery fully charged. As demonstrated in its cross-border jaunt earlier in July 2025, its marathoning capabilities make it perfect for longer road trips, with BYD referring to it as a "vehicle that adapts to your lifestyle, and not the other way around". Another quality worth highlighting about the Sealion 6 DM-i's powertrain is that it enables the car to behave more like an EV than an ICE car. With the car operating by default on an 'electric-first' basis, its electric motor is tasked exclusively with powering the front wheels at low to medium speeds, allowing owners to drive about in a silent and emissions-free manner. At medium to high speeds, its 1.5-litre engine is then awoken in the capacity of a generator to feed the battery. Thereafter, it's only when the car is being pushed to its limit that the engine comes in fully to propel the car directly in tandem with the electric motor. As we noted on our first drive with the car, smoothness and refinement are amplified as a result, allowing the Sealion 6 DM-i to boast "creamy" power delivery. Intriguing powertrain aside, the Sealion 6 DM-i excels on the practicality front. While residing within the same mid-sized SUV segment as the Sealion 7, its boxier shape and flatter roofline provides rear passengers with slightly more headroom, with seats that can be reclined for extra comfort. Its 574-litre boot is also generous for its size, and can be further expanded to 1,700 litres with the 60:40 second row folded flat. What's more, as we've come to expect from BYD, standard equipment levels are generous. Front occupants won't have to fight over who gets to charge their phone, thanks to a dual-wireless charging tray, while all on board will get to savour road-trip playlists to the fullest on long drives with the car's premium Infinity by Harman Kardon sound system. Amidst these creature comforts, a full-digital dashboard, consisting of a 12.3-inch curved instrument cluster and 15.6-inch rotating infotainment touchscreen, adds a good dose of modernity. Furthermore, the Sealion 6 DM-i comes with a full suite of safety assistance systems, including the likes of Emergency Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Detection, and Intelligent Cruise Control. All of these are sure to take some of the stress out of long road trips (as mentioned, this is already a certified border-crosser). Speaking at the launch, James Ng, Managing Director of BYD Singapore and the Phillipines, highlighted the brand's enduring popularity among Singapore buyers, revealing that the 840 units sold in June 2025 had marked the brand's best month for the year so far. The Chinese carmaker has seen its lineup of models steadily increase in recent times, with the Sealion 6 DM-i following hot on the heels of the Sealion 7 that launched in January's 2025 Singapore Motor Show. Within the last 12 months, BYD has also fielded a Cat A-friendly compact electric MPV in the form of the M6, and a full-sized electric MPV with its luxury sub-brand: The DENZA D9. Additionally, the BYD Seal, Atto 3, and Dolphin all received recent updates for the 2025 model year. (In tandem, BYD Singapore has continued to grow its retail network with the latest addition of Jack Cars as an authorised dealer.) And this family is set to grow even bigger still. Soon to be launched in Singapore — as revealed by Ng at the event — is the BYD Atto 2, another compact electric crossover that will sit beneath the Atto 3 in terms of positioning and size. The Sealion 6 DM-i is now on sale in Singapore, and launches with a special price of $212,888 (inclusive of a guaranteed COE) — which places it slightly above the single-motor Sealion 7. The plug-in hybrid SUV also retails with a six-year car warranty, 10-year battery warranty, and 10 years worth of free servicing*. *Terms and conditions to apply Car model Price as of press time (including COE) BYD Sealion 6 DM-i Plug-in Hybrid $212,888 [[nid:719528]] This article was first published in sgCarMart .
Straits Times
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Going the distance in a plug-in hybrid on a Malaysian road trip
Find out what's new on ST website and app. KUANTAN – With its electric models that have marine animal-inspired names like Seal and Sealion selling so well in Singapore, Chinese company BYD is now bringing in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The Sealion 6 DM-i is a sport utility vehicle (SUV) equipped with a petrol engine and an electric motor. Its batteries get charged when the car is on the move or when it is plugged into a wall charger. The SUV decides how to use the two sources of propulsion – petrol engine or electric motor alone, or a mix of both. Combined, the Sealion 6 can travel 1,100km on a full tank of fuel and a fully charged battery. Ahead of its official launch on July 16, The Straits Times had a chance to find out how it performed, during a four-day, three-night Singapore-Malaysia round-trip drive organised by BYD. For this first-time PHEV driver, the EV-to-engine transition felt seamless. The car is a great companion for long road trips with the family. It offers cabin comfort for passengers, space for four roll-on suitcases and tech features to keep everyone plugged in and occupied on long drives exploring Malaysia, without anyone worrying about where the next charging station is. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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Drivers were told to drive normally. Each car was loaded with four adults and their bags, and the air-conditioning was set to full blast to beat the heat. The route through Malaysia included congested cities, hill climbs, highways and winding coastal roads. By the third day of hard driving, the low-fuel warning light in the test cars came on, after clocking between 761.6km and 803.1km, and using up around 50 litres of petrol. The difference in the range could have been due to how each car was driven. It seemed they performed best when the accelerator was feathered gently. By the time the low-fuel indicator lit up, the car should have had around 10 litres of fuel left in the tank. This suggested that the Sealion 6 DM-i should be able to cover nearly 1,000km with its 60-litre fuel tank. This was quite good, considering that throughout the drive, we drove as quickly as the traffic allowed and made no effort to be exaggeratedly fuel-efficient, such as doing without air-con or going unrealistically slow. Passengers and route The fam: (from left) Abel with Glenn Ong (Kiss92), Li Mei (UFM1003) and Vanessa Jane Seah (SPH Media). They all took turns to drive. PHOTO: ABEL ANG I shared 'my' car with three others invited for the trip . They were radio jockeys Glenn Ong from Kiss92 and Li Mei from UFM1003, and producer Vanessa Jane Seah from SPH media. We all took turns to drive. We started in Singapore at the BYD showroom in Alexandra Road and headed across the border via the Second Link. At the petrol station in Gelang Patah, Johor, our fuel tanks were filled to the brim and the trip meter reset to zero. From there, the convoy made stops in Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Genting Highlands, Kuantan and Melaka, before returning to Singapore. BYD said the driving route was designed to demonstrate how the car would perform under typical family road-trip conditions. Challenges included congestion in Kuala Lumpur, highway cruising on the North-South Highway, the steep climb up Genting Highlands and winding coastal roads through Kuantan. A 'family' trip During the trip, I had a great time getting to know the other members of my Sealion 6 'family'. On the long drives between stops, we chatted about our loves, lives and aspirations, while Vanessa played tunes from her 58-hour music playlist. On the first night, we stopped at the Ikan Glamping campsite outside Kuala Lumpur. The luxury campsite in Bentong has 18 luxury tents – complete with air-con and hotel-style amenities. We were lulled to sleep by chirping crickets and awoke to gentle sun rays peeking into the tents. Glamping out: The 'tents' at the campsite near Kuala Lumpur come complete with air-con and hotel-style amenities. PHOTO: ABEL ANG On the second day, craving some exercise, Glenn and I made the 272-step climb up Batu Caves to visit the temple cave perched atop the hill . It is guarded by a towering statue of Lord Murugan, a Hindu god of war, victory, wisdom and love. 272 steps later: Checking out Batu Caves, protected by Lord Murugan, a Hindu deity that is the god of war, victory, wisdom and love PHOTO: ABEL ANG Navigating sharp turns and steep inclines, our car took us up to Genting Highlands, where we spent the second night. The challenging route allowed us to channel our inner 'race car drivers', taking corners and pushing the engine to its limit. I cannot confirm or deny whether our car left any burnt rubber and skid marks on the sharper bends up the hill. On the way to Kuantan, after overnighting in Genting, we drove through Pahang, which produces the most durians in Malaysia. What better way to memorialise the trip than to stop by the roadside for a durian feast? The highlight for me was the third and final night's stay at the Mangala Estate Boutique Resort in Kuantan. The 67-private villa property is tucked away in the wetlands and palm groves of a small seaside town of half a million inhabitants. I soaked in the private pool of the villa, surrounded by nature and uplifted by birdsong. About 100 varieties of birds are endemic to the region. The soak soothed my tight shoulders and aching back, having spent too many hours on the road. First-time PHEV driver I had never driven a petrol-hybrid or an electric car before, so I was curious to see if a PHEV like the Sealion 6 would be any different from the petrol-powered vehicles I knew so well. The Sealion 6 drives no differently, as I discovered, so there was no learning curve. Driving the car in electric or hybrid mode (when both the engine and electric motors are at work) did not seem to affect its performance. The transition between the electric motor and engine-assisted drive modes proved to be smooth. Power to choose: The option to fill up, in addition to plugging in, means that there is none of the anxiety associated with using a pure electric car. PHOTO: ABEL ANG Given BYD's popularity and reputation as one of the pioneers of mass-market EVs, I had high expectations for the electric-assisted start-up with the battery assist helping to overcome the additional weight of the EV battery. It turned out to be quick and agile. The car starts off in electric mode and the transition to fuel-assisted driving, when the engine chips in, is always seamless. Even at highway speeds beyond 110kmh, the car remained quiet. Putting myself in the shoes of a dad on a solo-vehicle road trip, I found having the option to recharge or refuel strangely comforting. I did not experience range anxiety because I knew I had the option of refuelling at petrol stations. Handling and creature comforts The car handled Genting Highlands' winding uphill roads with confidence and agility. There was no noticeable struggle with the car , even with four adults and luggage. Throughout the drive, the engine delivered good torque, thanks to the hybrid set-up. The body roll felt well contained for a family SUV of this size too. The air-conditioning was strong even when temperatures soared past 35 deg C on most of the days . The ample charging points (USB-A, USB-C, wireless charging for devices front and rear) kept the phones of the four occupants – and other devices like cameras – charged. The interior finish felt premium, with ergonomic leather seats, ambient lighting and a panoramic sunroof. At various points, people were popping their heads through the sunroof for better views or to take more exciting photos of the convoy . The 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen was easy to use. With an Infinity 10-speaker sound system, it was a pleasure to listen to the playlist Vanessa contributed from her phone. My companions enjoyed playing with the built-in voice command feature too. We could get the car to open and close the sunroof, and initiate the voice control system by saying 'Hi BYD'. There was ample legroom at the back, so there were no fights over space. Ample space: A different way to measure boot capacity PHOTO: BYD The 574-litre boot was sufficiently spacious to carry our four roll-on suitcases and small personal bags. As someone who will be in the market for a replacement when my car is due to be scrapped, the Sealion 6 DM-i will be an ideal first hybrid for long-distance road trips with the kids. With around 1,000km of driving range, it offers stress-free road trips exploring Malaysia and farther afield, without the driver worrying about where the next charging station will be. BYD Sealion 6 DM-i Price: $212,888 with COE Motor: Permanent synchronous with 18.3kWh LFP battery and 1.5-litre range extender (97hp) Transmission: Hybrid single-speed Power: 160kW Torque: 300Nm 0-100kmh: 8.5 seconds Top speed: 170kmh Fuel/power consumption: 0.9 litres/18.8kWh per 100km Charging capacity: 2.7kW AC; 18kW DC Agent: E-Auto
Business Times
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Business Times
Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid becomes first car with a petrol engine that BYD brings to Singapore
[SINGAPORE] For the first time, China auto giant BYD has launched a car with a petrol engine in Singapore, joining its current range of full electric vehicles (EVs) here. Set to be launched on Wednesday (Jul 15), the Sealion 6 DM-i large sport utility vehicle is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that runs on petrol, but can also cover short distances on electricity alone. It is priced from S$212,888 including a Certificate of Entitlement. BYD said the aim is to capitalise on Singapore's expanded charging facilities and greater acceptance of EVs, while still appealing to customers who worry about range. BYD Singapore managing director James Ng told The Business Times: 'We feel it is timely to introduce our Sealion 6 to Singapore now as the charging network is quite widespread, (yet) there are still a handful of customers who want to drive further, such as to Malaysia, but have concerns about chargers.' Conventional hybrid EVs have a petrol engine, electric motor and battery. They recover energy from braking or slowing down, and can cover very short distances on full electricity, typically less than 1 km. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Unlike conventional hybrids, PHEVs have larger batteries that can be charged from an external source – the same as EVs – and can therefore travel further on full electric power. BYD's PHEVs combine the strengths of battery EVs and an internal combustion engine, said Ng. 'With the electric range, you can charge every two or three days and drive it like an EV, but also go further without worry.' Less range anxiety The Sealion has a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor, with a maximum combined output of 216 kilowatts (kW). The car is capable of 18 kW direct-current fast charging, meaning its 18.3 kW-hour battery pack can be charged in around 80 minutes. BYD estimates the car's electric range at around 80 km and its total maximum range at 1,100 km. BYD began operating in Singapore in 2014, and previously sold only EVs here. Fuelled by aggressive sales tactics and government EV incentives, the Chinese brand has risen to the top of the Republic's market, with 3,827 cars registered in the first five months of 2025. It aims to sell 10,000 cars by the end of the year. PHEVs have been available in Singapore since 2013, but have not seen widespread adoption as they are typically more expensive than both conventional hybrids and EVs, due to the higher cost of larger batteries and lesser incentives. Incentives for EVs go up to S$40,000, but the maximum incentive for a PHEV is S$2,500. In the first five months of 2025, 159 PHEVs were registered, compared to 7,838 EVs. But PHEVs make up a big chunk of its sales elsewhere. Of 380,000 passenger vehicles that BYD sold across all markets in June, 45 per cent were PHEVs. In China, where most of BYD's sales are, the same incentives apply to EVs and most PHEVs. In Singapore, PHEVs have mainly come from more luxurious brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo, with mainstream manufacturers like GAC, Jaecoo and Mazda introducing PHEV models here only this year.
