SEAL OF APPROVAL — BYD’s latest offering gets tested in China

The rain was coming down in sheets as we arrived at the Zhuhai International Circuit, a venue known for its challenging layout and high-speed straights.

The event, aptly named "Innovation Meets Acceleration," promised a day of thrills and an in-depth look at BYD's latest offering, the Seal. I was a part of a media group from the Philippines, brought in by AC Motors and BYD Philippines, eager to put the car through its paces.

At first glance, the BYD Seal commands attention. Designed by BYD's design director Wolfgang Egger, its sleek lines and sports-sedan stance make it clear that this is a car designed with performance in mind.

The 19-inch wheels fit perfectly with the low-slung body, and the triple-line Daytime Running Lights add a touch of modernity. Inside, the design philosophy continues. The interior layout echoes the exterior's flowing lines, with key elements like the gauge cluster and central infotainment system subtly standing out, ensuring the driver's focus remains on the road.

The BYD Seal is more than just eye candy and is truly built to be an accessible piece of high technology. The car features an 8-in-1 electric powertrain that delivers 308 HP on the rear-wheel-drive version.

The all-wheel-drive configuration, which I had the pleasure of driving, combines an 8-in-1 and a 3-in-1 electric powertrain, sending 215 HP to the front wheels and 308 HP to the back wheels for a maximum combined motor power output of 523 HP.

The Blade Battery, with its 82 kWh capacity, offers a range of up to 570 km and can be charged from 30 percent to 80 percent in just 26 minutes using a 150 kW DC charger.

Given the event's focus on performance, there was little time to explore the infotainment system or other technological aspects. The real test would be on the track, and as I settled into the driver's seat, I could feel the anticipation building.

The Zhuhai International Circuit is a proving ground for both machines and drivers. Located in the city of Zhuhai in Southern Guangdong province just north of Macau, this circuit has been a staple in the motorsports world since its inception.

The track layout is 4.3 km long and consists of 14 corners, offering a mix of high-speed straights and technical turns. It's a circuit that demands precision and skill, making it an ideal location for testing the mettle of the BYD Seal.

The rain-soaked conditions on the day of our visit added an extra layer of challenge, turning each corner into a test of the car's handling and braking capabilities. The wet kerbs and puddles at the apexes of some corners were reminders of the circuit's exacting nature.

Yet, it was under these conditions that the Seal demonstrated its prowess, navigating the wet track with a level of composure that was nothing short of impressive.

While the track experience was exhilarating, it leaves questions about the Seal's real-world driving performance. How would it handle the less-than-perfect surfaces of normal city roads?

And what would the charging experience be like? BYD prides itself in endowing the Seal with a semi-active suspension that adjusts the damping on the fly, which in theory would smoothen out any imperfections on the road.

These, however, are aspects that would require further exploration to provide a complete picture of the car's capabilities.

The version of the Seal I drove was the AWD, and it didn't take long to realize why. As I hammered out of a left-hand corner, the car executed a slight four-wheel drift, an indication of its all-wheel-drive capabilities.

The car's acceleration was impressive, to say the least, with the company claiming a 3.9 second sprint to 100 km/h from the AWD version. Power delivery was linear, and within moments, the speedometer was reading well over 140 kilometer per hour.

I hit the main straight of Zhuhai, throttle to the floor, and saw 192 km/h register on the digital cluster before hitting the hard braking point 200m from the next, tight right hander.

While the emulated engine sound was a bit disconcerting at first, it quickly grew on me and provided a sensory cue, helping me understand the car's behavior as I navigated the track. I'd say all those years of sim-racing surely helped.

Handling was another area where the Seal shined because, despite its weight, the car felt nimble and responsive, thanks in part to its well-engineered suspension and chassis.

Fast turns were executed with minimal drama, and the level of feedback provided by the car made it easy to push the limits. The Intelligent Torque Activation Control system proved its worth during a particularly aggressive exit from a slow, wet right-hander.

As I overzealously applied the throttle, the iTAC kicked in, allowing me to make a relatively easy and quick counter-steer as the system helped me correct the car's trajectory.

It's still unclear whether AC Motors is planning to bring the Seal to the Philippines, and if so, at what price point. Based on my experience, I believe it could be a valuable addition to their electric vehicle portfolio.

At the right price point, the Seal has the potential to make a significant impact on the market, offering a blend of performance and sustainability that is hard to ignore.

The BYD Seal is quite a thing to behold. Its sleek design, impressive performance, and advanced features make it a compelling option for anyone looking for a high-performance electric vehicle.