Have you heard that the 2026 BYD Seal 07 DM-i has quietly arrived at the dealership? Taking advantage of my lunch break, I slipped over to the 4S store and was surprised to find this pre-release model. The sales representative mentioned that the car will officially debut at the Chengdu Auto Show at the end of the month, but it can be pre-ordered now. It seems BYD is up to something again.
After circling the car twice, I noticed that the front face has changed more than I expected. The previously somewhat complex grille is gone, replaced by a fully enclosed design that at first glance resembles an electric vehicle. The large mouth-style lower bumper is even more exaggerated, and the newly added chrome trim on both sides looks like two small tiger teeth, combined with the redesigned headlight assembly, giving the entire front end a more spirited appearance. What surprised me the most was the high-end version’s laser radar, cleverly hidden above the windshield; if you don’t look closely, you might mistake it for a dashcam.
Upon opening the door, I was astonished by the center console design, as the current model still uses a traditional gear lever. This new design makes the center console much tidier, with air conditioning shortcut buttons neatly arranged next to the wireless charging pad, and the cup holder is large enough to hold a 1L thermos. The sales representative mysteriously pressed the armrest box button, and to my surprise, there was a mini refrigerator inside! I tried it out, and it can hold four cans of cola, making it a must-have for long summer trips.
The highlight is that this time the driver assistance system comes in two versions. The standard version, “Heavenly Eye C,” is sufficient, but the high-end version with laser radar, “Heavenly Eye B,” is the real deal. The sales representative said it can achieve automatic following on city roads, signal lane changes, and even parallel parking in older neighborhoods. They demonstrated the automatic parking, and I watched as the steering wheel turned itself perfectly, even better than a driving school instructor.
The side profile of the car still features the familiar coupe shape, but upon closer inspection, I noticed a camera added under the rearview mirror, likely an upgrade for the panoramic imaging system. The taillights are particularly eye-catching when lit, resembling a string of ruby necklaces. I specifically measured the rear seat space; at 178cm tall, my knees were still more than two fists away from the front seat, and the flat floor design is a plus. However, the trunk opening is a bit high, which might make loading larger luggage a bit challenging.
In terms of power, the sales representative said the main focus is on the 1.5T version, with the motor power reaching 200 kW. The most impressive part is the battery, with the top configuration achieving an electric range of 180 kilometers, nearly doubling the current model. I sneakily glanced at the energy consumption meter, and the fuel consumption when running out of battery is only about 4.4L per 100 kilometers, which translates to less than 30 cents per kilometer at current fuel prices. The charging port has been upgraded to an electric opening, which pops open automatically with a light press, much more sophisticated than the current manual cover.
The interior materials have clearly been upgraded, with a large area of soft materials on the center console, and the door panel armrest area has been added with suede. The vehicle system version number ends with “Z,” and it is said that the response speed has improved by 30%. I specifically tested the continuous voice command feature, and it understood commands like “open the sunroof and lower the air conditioning by two degrees” instantly. Heated steering wheel and seat massage have surprisingly become standard features, which northern friends will surely love.
Although I couldn’t take it on the road for a dynamic experience, sitting inside the car, I could feel that the chassis tuning is more solid. The sales representative mentioned that this time the entire series is equipped with the Cloud Control C system, and it indeed feels much softer over speed bumps compared to the current model. The steering effort is adjustable in three levels, with the lightest mode being easy for women to handle. The sound insulation has been enhanced; after closing the windows, the engine starting is barely noticeable, with only the energy flow animation on the dashboard reminding you that it has started working.
Surprisingly, this time there are as many as six driving modes available, with the new “Super Fuel Saving” mode reportedly allowing for an additional 50 kilometers of range. The shift paddles have been enlarged for easier manual downshifting during overtaking. The brake pedal feel is more linear than the current model, as the sales representative mentioned that a larger vacuum booster has been installed. The automatic parking trigger speed has been reduced from 15 km/h to 5 km/h, which should make it more comfortable in traffic jams.
On the configuration list, I found several surprises: the entire vehicle is equipped with nine airbags, the driver status monitoring has been upgraded to facial recognition, and even a USB-C fast charging port has been added for the rear seats. The car key has been redesigned into a card format and can be unlocked using mobile NFC. The most thoughtful addition is the camping mode, which allows the central control screen to directly display the remaining time for external power discharge.
Regarding pricing, the sales representative was tight-lipped, only saying, “It will definitely be worth more than the current model.” Considering the current starting price of 139,800 yuan, I personally speculate that the 180 km range version might reach the 180,000 yuan range. However, considering the laser radar and refrigerator as class-leading features, if the pricing is set right, it could be quite appealing. In this price range, finding a hybrid vehicle with advanced intelligent driving features, aside from BYD, is quite difficult.
Before leaving the store, I specifically checked the production date, and it was a fresh new car from August. The sales representative mentioned that ordering now comes with a lifetime of free basic maintenance and an 8,000 yuan trade-in subsidy. Comparing it with the current models in the store, although the new model is a bit more expensive, the configuration upgrades are indeed substantial. I plan to bring my family leader to take another look this weekend, and if the queen approves, I will place an order.