BYD recently released a teaser video about its upcoming model for the Indian market. There has been a lot of confusion regarding the model that is coming. Until now, BYD has only sold EVs in the Indian market. With the next model, that will change. The upcoming model is going to be BYD’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle. While a section of the internet believes it is going to be the Sealion 6, others think it is the Atto 2. The launch is expected to happen on 9 June this year, and the brand has not confirmed anything about the upcoming model. Here is what both these plug-in hybrid vehicles from BYD offer.
The Atto 2 has been spotted testing in India before. This is a compact SUV that will compete with the likes of the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos in the segment. The Atto 2 is 4,330 mm long, 1,830 mm wide, and 1,675 mm tall. It offers a wheelbase of 2,620 mm. It is available as both an EV and a PHEV. It is a model that has been under evaluation for the Indian market for quite some time.
The PHEV comes with an SUV-like front end that looks similar to other BYD models. As this is not an EV, it gets a proper grille at the front, BYD branding, and an open lower air dam. There are air curtains on the bumper, which give it a muscular look.
The SUV comes with sleek-looking twin-barrel LED headlamps with dual-function LED DRLs. The SUV gets a boxy design with rounded corners and 17-inch wheels. There are all-LED tail lamps, while the bumper gets faux skid plates, cladding, and reflectors to complete the look. The SUV also gets a sporty-looking integrated spoiler and a shark-fin antenna.
In terms of features, the Atto 2 PHEV comes with a 12.8-inch rotatable touchscreen that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also offers a crystal gear selector, wireless phone charging, vegan leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, electric seat adjustment, Level 2 ADAS, a 360-degree camera, and more.
BYD calls its plug-in hybrid technology DM-i, which stands for Dual Mode-Intelligent. This is a conventional plug-in hybrid system where the engine and electric motor work together to deliver efficiency, performance, and low running costs.
The Atto 2 is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a 7.8 kWh battery pack and an electric motor. There is also an 18 kWh version, and we will have to wait and see which variant comes to India. The plug-in hybrid system is so efficient that it can offer a driving range of around 1,000 km.
The next plug-in hybrid SUV rumoured to be launched on 9 June is the Sealion 6. The BYD Sealion 6 is 4,775 mm long, 1,890 mm wide, and 1,670 mm tall. It also has a wheelbase of 2,765 mm. It gets a conventional SUV-like design with typical BYD styling elements. There are sleek LED headlamps with LED DRLs and a sporty-looking bumper with parking sensors and cameras.
Unlike many other Chinese cars, the Sealion 6 gets regular pull-type door handles, alloy wheels, and other conventional design elements. At the rear, the SUV comes with an integrated spoiler, LED tail lamps connected by an LED light bar, and more.
On the inside, the Sealion 6 comes with a dual-tone cabin. It is offered in tan and black or off-white and black colour schemes, with silver trim on the dashboard and centre console along with soft-touch materials. The SUV comes with leatherette upholstery, a three-spoke steering wheel, a 15.6-inch rotating infotainment touchscreen, while the driver gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
BYD is also offering seven airbags, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), a 360-degree camera, a 10-speaker sound system, a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, ISOFIX child-seat mounts, and more.
The BYD Sealion 6, in international markets, is available with 1.5-litre naturally aspirated and turbo-petrol engine options. Both engine options are paired with either an 18.3 kWh or a 26.6 kWh battery pack. The naturally aspirated version of the SUV generates 218 PS, which is sent to the front wheels.
The Atto 2, as mentioned above, is a Creta-sized SUV, and like most BYD models, the brand is likely to ensure that the pricing remains competitive.
If BYD launches the Atto 2, it is expected to be priced between ₹25 lakh and ₹30 lakh. The Sealion 6 is a much larger SUV and is expected to be priced between ₹35 lakh and ₹50 lakh.
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