BYD Seagull

The BYD Seagull ( zh, s=比亚迪海鸥, t=, p=Bǐyǎdí Hǎi'ōu, c=) is a battery electric city car manufactured by BYD Auto since 2023. Positioned below the Dolphin within BYD's line-up, it is currently the smallest BYD vehicle, occupying the A00-class in Chinese segmentation (equivalent to European A-segment). It is part of the Ocean Series product line and marketed in China through Ocean Network-branded dealerships and stores.

The car was made available in some Latin American markets in 2024 as the BYD Dolphin Mini.

Overview

The Seagull was introduced on 27April 2023 in China. Unlike its 3-door rivals in the sub-100,000 yuan A0-class electric car segment, the Seagull features a 4-seat, 5-door configuration in a hatchback body style with a length of only . According to Chinese publications, it is targeted towards younger customers seeking simpler means of transportation.

The exterior design of the Seagull combines numerous sharp lines, angular shaped headlights, and a sloping roofline with rear lamps connected by a light bar. Interior space utilization is prioritized by increasing the wheelbase-to-length ratio at 66 percent, higher than the BYDDolphin at 64percent, along with the use of the thinner blade battery. In line with other BYD Ocean models, the dashboard design has a "wing" design depicting a seagull's wing with a two-tone design, and equipped with a rotatable 10.1-inch touch-screen infotainment system along with a 5-inch digital instrument cluster.

The Seagull is equipped with six airbags, rear disc brakes, electronic parking brake, and electronic stability programme. Its body in white contains 61% of high-strength steel, and uses hot-forming with a tensile strength of over 1,500 MPa in key parts.

Following its world premiere at Auto Shanghai in the second half of April 2023, BYD started delivering the Seagull in China. Upon its release, BYD received 10,000 orders for the Seagull in 24 hours. On 29November 2023, the 200,000th Seagull rolled off the assembly line, only seven months after its introduction. Due to its low selling price at below CN¥90,000 or US$12,000, the Seagull has also garnered curiosity and praise from international media and industry experts.

File:2023 ВYD Seagull (rear).jpg, Rear view
File:BYD Seagull EV - interior view.jpg, Interior

2024 update

In March 2024, BYD reduced the price of the Seagull by five percent in China with the release of the Seagull Honor Edition as the 2024 model year. The Seagull Honor Edition introduced a new body colour option, Ice Blue, with a Sea Blue interior colour.

2025 facelift

In February 2025, BYD introduced the updated Seagull in China. It received revised front and rear bumper design, revised interior elements, and the addition of BYD's advanced driver assistance system marketed as God's Eye C and DiPilot 100.

Export markets

The Seagull has been exported since 2024, mostly to Latin American markets. BYD also plans to launch an upgraded European market variant of the Seagull in 2025. According to BYD Europe executive Michael Shu, the European market Seagull will be "a different concept, but still a Seagull."

Latin America

Brazil

The Seagull went on sale in Brazil as the Dolphin Mini in February 2024. It is available in two variants, a 4-seater version and a 5-seater version, the latter became available in July 2024. Both variants are equipped with a 38.88 kWh battery. In early 2025, the Dolphin Mini will be assembled in Brazil at BYD's Camaçari plant alongside the BYD Song Pro.

Colombia

The Seagull went on sale in Colombia in April 2024. It is available in two variants, dubbed the GL and GS, which are equipped with a 30.88 kWh and 38.88 kWh battery respectively.

Mexico

The Seagull went on sale in Mexico as the Dolphin Mini in March 2024. It is available in two variants, dubbed the Dolphin Mini and Dolphin Mini Plus, which are equipped with a 30.88 kWh and 38.88 kWh battery respectively.

Asia

Philippines

The Seagull went on sale in the Philippines in October 2024 in a single variant, equipped with a 30.88 kWh battery.

Specifications

In China, there are currently three trims offered: a base model called the "Vitality Edition" (活力版), a higher specification "Freedom Edition" (自由版), and a top-specification variant called the "Flying Edition" (飞翔版). All three models are powered by a single permanent magnet synchronous motor driving the front wheels, with a top speed of , a claimed 0– acceleration time of 4.9 seconds, and a 0– time of 13 seconds.

Both the Vitality and Freedom models come with a FinDreams LFP Blade battery, enabling a cruising range rating of on the CLTC; the Flying model sports a larger battery pack and a range of approximately . The battery can be recharged via a household AC power plug at 6.6kW, or via a DC fast charger at 30 or 40kW (depending on the model), during which it reportedly can be charged from 30% to 80% capacity in 30 minutes.

Powertrain

Recall

On 30April 2024, BYD issued a recall for 16,666 Seagull units in China due to reversing camera software failure. It affects units produced between 7April 2023 and 31May 2023. The recall will be conducted through an over-the-air (OTA) update.

Sales

Upon its release, BYD received 10,000 orders for the Seagull in 24 hours. On 29November 2023, the 200,000th Seagull rolled off the assembly line, only seven months after its introduction.

See also

* List of BYD Auto vehicles

References

External links

* (China)

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Seagull
Electric car models
Production electric cars
City cars
Cars introduced in 2023
Front-wheel-drive vehicles