Ultra-efficient, cut-price electric car exposed: Watch out Tesla Model 3, BYD Seal 08 leaked in China as Hyundai Ioniq 6, Kia EV4 rival but will it come to Australia?

A new ultra-efficient BYD model has been exposed by China’s vehicle regulator.

Dubbed the Seal 08, the all-new electric model will arrive as a sibling to the Qin L EV in China, a cut-price sedan offered with internal combustion engine (ICE), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery-electric powertrains.

This model, however, will only be available with an electric powertrain. Specifically, a small 46.1kWh lithium iron phosphate Blade battery pack, paired with a 110kW electric motor.

Despite its small size, the Sealion 08's 10kWh/100km efficiency means the sedan has an impressive 461km of driving range, albeit in the more lenient CLTC protocol. It also puts it comfortably ahead of the updated Tesla Model 3 (on paper), which achieves a peak rating of 13.2kWh/100km under the more stringent WLTP cycle. 

A top-spec variant will carry a larger 56.6kWh unit that will provide 545km, while it also gets a more powerful electric motor that delivers 160kW.

In terms of design, the Seal 08 mirrors the Seal with its 'Ocean Series' silhouette, which includes the same front end, roofline and tailgate as the Seal.

That said, it gets different LED headlight clusters, no fancy LED running lights on the lower bumper, physical door handles, less sophisticated wheel designs and different LED tail-lights.

According to CarNewsChina, this is because it will fit under the Dynasty series in China, a more budget-friendly offering that the publication said is targeted at younger, cash-strapped buyers.

The Ocean Series, which makes up most of the offerings on the Australian market, such as the Seal, Dolphin and Sealion 7, is alternatively targeted at a more upmarket clientele.

As such, the Seal 08 is being floated with a price tag of around 150,000 yuan ($32,422) in China, although it would certainly carry a premium should it land in Australia.

CarsGuide has contacted BYD’s local operations to determine whether the Seal 08 is a chance for the Australian market as a cut-price follow up to the brand’s more premium Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 6 competitor, the BYD Seal.

It comes after CEO of BYD’s local distributor David Smitherman told CarsGuide he was pushing for more models in Australia.

"BYD has got a huge appetite for Australia and is very keen to bring [more] product to the market," said Smitherman

"In my role, I’m saying let's get lots of products to Australia to meet every segment."