BYD’s hybrid Seal 5 DM-i sedan: ‘1,645 km on single charge and full tank’

In the din of celebration over the launch of the new BYD Seal 5 DM-i Thursday night, Bob Palanca told this writer that he goes up with BYD Tang to Baguio City on a single charge “with plenty to spare.”

He said he trusts the seven-seater all-electric SUV that much without worrying the battery would die on him on the way up.

Maybe that’s why the BYD managing director was so convincing onstage when he said the carmaker’s newest offering—a sporty and spunky sedan—has a “perfect balance of performance and peace of mind.”

For Palanca, it’s only a matter of time before Filipino motorists bought their first electric vehicle.

“You can see it now on the roads. Our cars are all over,” he said. “And we will continuously flood them.”

“With regard to electric vehicles, people need to experience it in order for them to understand. A lot of people have not experienced electric yet, once they get to understand. It’s gonna be easy as a breeze.”

And so, through thick smoke that flooded the pop-up stage at BGC Amphitheater, dancing lights and loud techno-music ushering it in, the BYD Seal DM-i emerged.

It marks the brand’s third offering in the DM-i line that Palanca hopes will re-write everything Filipinos know about cars.

“Our vehicles are DM-i, it runs on electric battery with a motor and a petrol engine,” he said.

“You’re safe because you can charge the battery using the engine. That’s why with the Seal 5 DM-i, we’re able to attain 1,645 kilometers with one full charge and one full tank.”

He was referring to the range test that they ran recently which saw the BYD Seal DM-i top-specs Premier variant (priced at P1.198 million) reaching a stunning distance of 1,645 kilometers all around key cities in Luzon.

The lower-tiered Dynamic variant was able to make 1,508 kilometers on the same path. It has a price tag of P948,000.

“Now I don’t know if there’s an EV in the country which can provide those numbers,” he said.

The launch coincided with the 30th anniversary of the China-based BYD, which has been giving the American Tesla a run for its money in terms of EV production worldwide.

“The collaboration between BYD and ACMobility represents a momentous step towards establishing a strong foundation for electrified mobility in the country,” said Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, chief executive officer of ACMobility, which owns BYD Philippines.

“Together, we’re committed to enhancing customer experience and making electric vehicles a mainstream choice, offering options that meet the diverse needs of the modern Filipino driver,” Zobel de Ayala added.

BYD has likewise marked a significant milestone with the roll-off of its 10-millionth New Energy Vehicle (NEV) in November, becoming the first automaker in the world to reach this milestone.

The achievement comes after 15 years of producing its first five million NEVs, with the next five million produced in just 15 months, underscoring BYD's rapid expansion and commitment to sustainable mobility.

The BYD Seal 5 DM-i features a modern, aerodynamic design with a 4,780 mm length, 1,837 mm width, and 1,495 mm height.

Its 2,718 mm wheelbase ensures a spacious interior, making it a versatile option for first-time car buyers.

The sedan is equipped with bold LED headlights, full-width LED taillights, and a 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen (Dynamic and Premium trims) for easy navigation and entertainment. Both variants also offer Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Premium variant enhances the in-car experience with an eight-speaker sound system, while both variants feature an 8.8-inch LCD digital gauge cluster, providing clear and intuitive driver information.

The Seal 5 DM-i delivers strong performance, with the Dynamic variant producing 179 PS and 316 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 7.9 seconds.

The Premium variant increases power to 197 PS and 325 Nm, reaching 100 km/h in just 7.3 seconds. Both models offer impressive driving ranges—up to 1,175 km for the Dynamic and up to 1,240 km for the Premium—making them suitable for both daily commutes and long-distance trips. — BM, GMA Integrated News