BYD’s cheapest EV is about to get a ‘big’ sibling: Here’s what it looks like in person
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- BYD previewed a larger sibling to its Seagull hatch at the Chengdu Auto Show, officially confirming the name 'Great Seagull' and a launch target by the end of 2026
- The Great Seagull measures 4,205 mm long with a 2,650 mm wheelbase, making it roughly 425 mm longer than the current Seagull (3,780 mm), according to China's MIIT filing
- The new model upgrades the motor to 95 kW (127 hp), nearly double the current Seagull's 55 kW (75 hp) output
- BYD previewed the vehicle with a roof-mounted LiDAR unit, pointing to advanced driver-assistance features expected on the Great Seagull
- The Great Seagull is expected to use BYD's new Blade Battery 2.0 and Flash Charging technology, though battery specs and pricing remain undisclosed
- The current Seagull (sold abroad as the Dolphin Surf/Dolphin Mini) ranked as the world's sixth-best-selling EV in H1 2026 with over 27,500 units and starts at 69,900 yuan (~$10,000) in China
Why it matters: BYD is moving its mass-market Seagull upmarket with a larger, more powerful variant while keeping it affordable — the current car already starts at ~$10,000 and is a global top-10 EV, so the Great Seagull's added size, nearly doubled horsepower, and LiDAR-equipped tech could pressure competitors in the sub-$15,000 global hatchback segment. With naming now locked and MIIT approval secured, BYD is on track to launch before year-end 2026.
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