BYD has unveiled the latest Seagull in China, a budget hatchback that starts at about US$9,810 and, on its top three trims, promises a five-minute charge from 10 to 70 percent. The fast charge depends on BYD's own Flash Charging infrastructure, which the company says makes the feature China-specific for now.
The model is sold under different names in different regions, including Dolphin, Surf, Dolphin Mini and Atto 1. It launches in five trims, Vitality, Freedom, Comfort, Flying and Smart, priced from 65,900 yuan to 99,900 yuan, roughly US$9,810 to US$15,000.
The flash-charging trims use a 39.2-kWh battery with a CLTC range of 261 miles (420 km). The entry-level Vitality and Freedom trims do without the fast-charging technology, using a 30.1-kWh battery with a CLTC range of 199 miles (320 km).
The new Seagull is significantly larger than its predecessor: 165 inches (4,205 mm) long, 71 inches (1,810 mm) wide and 62 inches (1,570 mm) tall, with a 104-inch (2,650-mm) wheelbase. That makes it 16.7 inches (425 mm) longer, with a 6-inch (150-mm) longer wheelbase, and seating capacity has risen from four to five. Cargo space is 48.7 cubic feet (1,380 liters) with the rear seats folded, plus a 3.3-cubic-foot (94-liter) front trunk.
Mechanically, the car moves from a front-mounted motor driving the front wheels to a rear-mounted motor powering the rear axle, and the rear torsion-beam suspension has been replaced with an independent multi-link arrangement. The two entry trims use an 85-kW (114-hp) motor, while the three flash-charging trims get a 95-kW (127-hp) unit, both well up from the outgoing model's 55-kW motor.
The equipment list includes a 15.6-inch display running BYD's DiLink 150 intelligent cockpit system with a full version of DeepSeek AI, plus the DiPilot 300 "God's Eye" driver-assistance suite, which uses LiDAR for city and highway navigation on autopilot, traffic-light recognition with countdown displays and obstacle avoidance. Both front seats offer three-stage heating and ventilation, the driver's seat adds massage modes, and there is 50-W wireless charging, 127-color ambient lighting and an eight-speaker sound system.
BYD also announced trade-in prices ranging from 62,900 yuan (about US$9,400) to 96,900 yuan (about US$14,400), a 3,000-yuan discount (approximately US$450) off the listed price of any variant for eligible buyers, and 12 months of free charging at BYD's Flash Charging stations for private buyers of the three higher-spec trims.