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BYD Sealion 6 Plug-In Hybrid Spotted Testing In India

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BYD's first plug-in hybrid for India, the Sealion 6 with DM-i tech, has been spied testing. It promises a 1,200 km total range and could launch in 2026.

BYD, better known in India for its all-electric cars, has been spotted testing its first plug-in hybrid for the country. Test cars for the BYD Sealion 6, wearing camouflage and prominent decals reading "BYD DM-i" and "Super Plug-In Hybrid" along the sides, were seen on Indian roads. The rear carried further "BYD DM-i" and "World's No.1" branding, confirming the vehicle runs the company's proprietary DM-i plug-in hybrid system.

The Sealion 6, sold in some markets as the Seal U, marks a departure for BYD in India, where the brand has so far offered only electric vehicles. The company has previously launched the Seal sedan and the Sealion 7, both part of its Ocean lineup, and the Sealion 6 is set to widen that range. Reports had for some time pointed to BYD preparing a plug-in hybrid for India, with both the Atto 2 and the Sealion 6 seen testing on public roads as likely candidates. The latest sighting settles which model carries the technology.

The DM-i powertrain

At the heart of the Sealion 6 DM-i is a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with two electric motors - a starter motor and a traction motor. BYD claims the engine reaches a thermal efficiency of 43.04 per cent, which it says is the highest in the world. The motors are rated at 97.5 per cent efficiency and draw power from an 18.3 kWh battery pack built with the company's Blade cells.

With a full fuel tank and a fully charged battery, BYD says the Sealion 6 DM-i offers a combined range of 1,200 km. On battery power alone, the car is claimed to cover 126 km on a single charge. The same powertrain configuration is expected to reach the Indian market unchanged.

Size and styling

The Sealion 6 measures 4,775 mm in length, 2,085 mm in width and 1,670 mm in height, and rides on a 2,765 mm wheelbase. Its proportions place it firmly among BYD's Ocean-series models, alongside the Sealion 7 already on sale in India.

Where the two differ is in character. The Sealion 6 carries sharper creases and a more upright, SUV-like silhouette, giving it a more European look and a more practical stance than the sportier Sealion 7. Inside, the model is expected to bring features seen elsewhere in BYD's range, including a rotating touchscreen, a TFT instrument cluster, advanced driver-assistance systems, high-quality cabin materials and generous boot space.

Launch timing and rivals

BYD India has not confirmed a launch date for the Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid, but 2026 appears to be the target year. The company is expected to bring the model in through the CBU route, importing it as a completely built unit rather than assembling it locally.

In the Indian market, the Sealion 6 is set to line up against the upcoming Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid, which will be sold under the JSW brand. The arrival of the DM-i system would give Indian buyers a BYD model that runs on both petrol and electric power, a shift from the brand's electric-only presence in the country so far.

BYD Sealion 6, BYD PHEV India, DM-i technology, plug-in hybrid India, BYD Seal U, Sealion 6 launch, BYD Blade battery, Ocean series

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