MediaRelease: BYD launches BYD SHARK 6, SEALION 6,SEALION 7 SA

[MediaReleases]

Johannesburg, South Africa – April 3, 2025 – BYD, the world’s leading manufacturer of new energy vehicles, has officially launched three advanced models—BYD SHARK 6, BYD SEALION 6, and BYD SEALION 7—in the South African market. This marks a significant milestone in BYD’s commitment to providing cutting-edge, sustainable mobility solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of South African consumers.

“We are thrilled to introduce the BYD Shark, SEALION 6, and SEALION 7 to South Africa,” said Steve Chang, Managing Director of BYD Auto SA. “These vehicles reflect BYD’s commitment to technological innovation, sustainability, and excellence. With this launch, we are offering South African consumers a new level of performance, efficiency, and smart mobility solutions.”

In total, BYD currently offers six models in the South African market, highlighting the breadth of the line-up and showcasing the brand's commitment to the market. In 2023, the compact-yet-practical BYD ATTO 3 was first launched to the market, followed by the agile and versatile BYD DOLPHIN hatchback and the dynamic BYD SEAL sedan. The newly launched BYD SHARK 6, BYD SEALION 6, completes BYD's PHEVs and EVs dual-product strategy in the South African market.

BYD SHARK 6

BYD Shark 6 is the first bakkie that BYD launched in South Africa. It features the DMO Super Hybrid Off-road Platform, representing the latest technology in BYD's product portfolio.

Utilize New Tech to Create Unmatched Hybrid Power & Performance

The DMO Super Hybrid Off-road Platform, a core technology of BYD SHARK 6, stands as a revolutionary innovation, seamlessly combining rugged off-road capability and safety features with the comfort of an SUV, all while maintaining impressive energy efficiency.

BYD SHARK 6, with its dedicated rear-drive powertrain, EHS electric hybrid system, and a 1.5T high-power engine, reaches a peak power of over 430 horsepower, equivalent to a 4.0L V8 engine. Its acceleration from 0 to 100 kilometers is only 5.7 seconds. Moreover, harnessing the prowess of intelligent electric AWD, BYD SHARK 6 can precisely adjust the torque distribution between its front and rear wheels in milliseconds, aligning with the optimal adhesion coefficient across diverse road surfaces.

High Ride Quality with Low Driving Cost

As a super plug-in hybrid model, BYD SHARK 6, boasting dual fuel and electric power modes, attains remarkable endurance. Garnering a comprehensive cruising range of 670 km under the WLTP conditions, alongside a pure EV endurance of 85 km, it effortlessly accommodates urban commuting and interstate travel. Also, when the battery runs out , fuel consumption only rises to 9.6L/100km.

Beyond its exceptional performance and driving experience, BYD SHARK 6 prioritizes supreme safety. Integrating the ultra-high safety Blade Battery and a high-strength steel frame through CTC technology, it ensures robust protection. The Blade Battery functions both as an energy unit and a structural component, fortifying both battery and vehicle safety with multi-layered defense. Moreover, a 22% increase in body torsional rigidity significantly enhances handling and stability, bolstering reliability on challenging off-road terrain.

BYD SEALION 6

The BYD SEALION 6 is designed as the perfect family SUV, offering an exceptional balance of performance, fuel efficiency, and intelligent features.

Efficient Family Choices

With BYD’s advanced Super DM-I technology, the SEALION 6 delivers a seamless driving experience, whether on city roads or long-distance journeys. The all-wheel-drive (AWD) version accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds, producing a maximum power output of 238 kW and 550 Nm of torque, while the front-wheel-drive (FWD) variant offers outstanding fuel efficiency at 5.5L/100 km (WLTP). On a full tank, the SEALION 6 can travel up to 1,080 km in FWD model and 870 km in AWD model, making it an ideal choice for both daily commutes and extended road trips.

Smart Technology for a Safer and more Connected Drive

Technology is at the core of the SEALION 6, enhancing connectivity and convenience through a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, smart voice control, and an advanced head-up display (HUD). The HUD projects key driving information directly onto the windshield, displaying speed, speed limits, adaptive cruise control data. These intelligent features create a futuristic and user-friendly driving environment, ensuring every journey is both effortless and enjoyable. With its combination of efficiency, long-range capability, and cutting-edge technology, the BYD SEALION 6 redefines what a plug-in hybrid family SUV can achieve in the South African market.

BYD SEALION 7

As BYD’s fourth pure electric model in South Africa, BYD SEALION 7 is a sport-coupe SUV that blends sleek design, advanced EV technology, and superior driving dynamics.

Cutting-Edge E-Motor Technology Plus Ultra-Fast Charging

The heart of any high-performance vehicle is its motor, and BYD delivered a stunning technical breakthrough to power the BYD SEALION 7. Thanks to a range of high-tech achievements, including dual V-shape magnets and an incredibly high slot-fill rate of 92% with flat wire winding, the BYD SEALION 7's rear motor can run at speeds of up to 23,000 rpm, making it one of the world's fastest electric motor in mass production. This high technology enables BYD SEALION 7 to deliver a noticeably stronger acceleration of 4.5s from 0 to 100 km/h for the Performance edition and 6.7s for the Premium edition, with a top speed of 215 km/h for both editions.

The SEALION 7 is equipped with BYD's Blade battery and offers 82.56 kWh battery capacity, with a maximum WLTP range of 482km. Therefore, for short-distance daily commutes, a full charge could last up to 10 days. Also, with Intelligent fast-charging technology, the SEALION 7 battery can be recharged from 20% to 80% within 30 minutes with DC rapid-charging rates of 150KW. Both versions of BYD SEALION 7 get a 7KW wall box charger and a 2.2KW portable charger as standard.

Spacious, Luxury and Versatile, Redefined the Driving Experience

Benefiting from Cell-to-Body (CTB) construction, the BYD SEALION 7 delivers an outstanding cabin space and practicality. Instead of a traditional layout, CTB integrates the Blade Battery into the entire vehicle structure, with the top cover of the pack also acting as the floor of the passenger compartment, allowing generous amounts of headroom, despite the rakish roof-line. The BYD SEALION 7 offers 500L boot capacity with the rear seat in place, and there's also 58L front boot space that is ideal for an overnight bag.

In terms of in-car tech and comfortability, BYD SEALION 7 is set to raise the standard higher. The centre of the new model's dashboard houses a 15.6-inch screen that can rotate portrait and landscape orientation and supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to integrate into BYD's own system and interface. The BYD SEALION 7 also comes with 12 Dynaudio speakers, turning every drive into a personal concert.

All three newly introduced models will be available across eight BYD showrooms in South Africa in the coming weeks. As part of its commitment to customer satisfaction, BYD will continue to expand and strengthen its sales and after-sales network, ensuring a superior ownership experience with comprehensive support and service.

About BYD

BYD is a multinational high-tech company devoted to leveraging technological innovations for a better life. Founded in 1995 as a rechargeable battery maker, BYD now boasts a diverse business scope covering automobiles, rail transit, new energy, and electronics, with over 30 industrial parks in China, the United States, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Hungary, and India. From power acquisition and storage to its applications, BYD is dedicated to providing zero-emission energy solutions that reduce global reliance on fossil fuels. Its new energy vehicle footprint now covers 6 continents, 107 countries and regions, and more than 400 cities. Listed in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges, the company is known to be a Fortune Global 500 enterprise that furnishes innovations in pursuit of a greener world.

About BYD Auto

Founded in 2003, BYD Auto is the automotive subsidiary of BYD, a multinational high-tech company devoted to leveraging technological innovations for a better life.

Aiming to accelerate the green transition of the global transportation sector, BYD Auto focuses on developing pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The company has mastered the core technologies of the entire industrial chain of new energy vehicles, such as batteries, electric motors, electronic controllers, and automotive-grade semiconductors. It has witnessed in recent years significant technological advancements, including the Blade Battery, the DM-i and DM-p hybrid technology, the e-Platform 3.0, the CTB and iTAC technologies, the DiSus Intelligent Body Control System, and the XUANJI Architecture. The company is the world’s first carmaker to stop the production of fossil-fuelled vehicles on EV shift and has remained top of new energy passenger vehicle sales in China for 10 years in a row.

[WillieJimny]

Where do they get these names from. A Shark Sealion 7

[Dirk]

No it is Shark, Sealion. Two different models.

[Rockspyder]

Got my Shark just a little over two weeks ago. Amazing vehicle, unlike anything I have ever driven before.

[m0lt3n]

Got my Shark just a little over two weeks ago. Amazing vehicle, unlike anything I have ever driven before.

cant you tell us more? Start a thread, share some pics? flippen awesome stuff.

this tech is coming for the bakkie world whether the hardebaarde like it or not.



I know I love my EV (car) and will change my offroad capable SUV for similar as soon as it makes sense to

[JS-V8]

All I can say is "ouch".

[Nys]

All I can say is "ouch".

Yes, the GWM is impressive.

It seems these 'electric' cars with electric motors are not really up to the pure 4x4 scene, yet. There was a nice explanation video done by Paul and some expert as to why.

[Floris]

Most EVs still don’t play nice when it comes to hardcore trails. But the BYD SHARK 6 actually surprised me. I tried it recently and it's way more capable than you'd expect from a hybrid. That DMO platform isn't just buzzwords, the torque split and low-end power feel proper rugged, especially for mild to medium offroading.This is where the tech’s heading, though. Hybrids like this aren’t trying to be Land Cruisers (yet), but they're slowly starting to make proper 4x4s look a little… inefficient. More people will switch once they realize how far the electric side of things has come.

[Dirk]

I saw one this afternoon in PE, and it is a fine looking vehicle!

[Redman]

The BYD Shark 6 sold 2,810 units in March here in Kangarooville, which puts it in third place for bakkie/ute sales, only behind the Ranger and Hilux.

I'm already seeing a bunch of them around, even a couple in our neighborhood. Haven't had a drive yet, but I've hopped in a few times, and honestly, the interior is the best I've seen in a bakkie.

It might struggle in real 4x4 stuff, but let's be real, how often do most bakkies actually end up in those situations?

The cool thing about so many being sold down here is that the accessory guys are already jumping on board with mods and gear. It's gonna be interesting to see what they come up with. TJM seems to be very close to releasing their bullbar for the Shark.

[Rockspyder]

Got my canopy today. Kalahari Aluminium Canopies did a great job, their first one made for the Shark.