Sime Darby Beyond Auto has released the first teaser image for its third model launch in Malaysia, the Tesla Model 3-rivalling BYD Seal. This follows the company’s public preview event in December.

Bookings have yet to open, at least not officially, but BYD dealers are communicating an estimated price of between RM 180,000 to RM 220,000, with the launch event expected to take place in the middle of February, after Chinese New Year.

The estimated price matches closely with the China-made Tesla Model 3, which is priced from RM 189,000 to RM 218,000.

When launched, the BYD Seal will be the first battery EV model in Malaysia equipped with Cell-to-Body (CTB) battery.

Unlike the Cell-to-Pack (CTP) type construction used in the BYD Dolphin and BYD Atto 3, the BYD Seal’s LFP chemistry battery is designed to be part of the car’s load-bearing structure.

CTB batteries are also referred to Cell-to-Chassis (CTC), or structural cells.

While the battery pack contributes to the car’s structural integrity, the BYD Seal promises a more comfortable ride, tauter handling, and better safety. The downside to CTB is that modular, cell-level replacement is not possible, so battery repair / replacement cost is very high.

Tesla also offers CTB, but only on their Texas-built Model Y and Cybertruck. Tesla models built in China are still using the conventional CTP approach.

In Thailand, the BYD Seal is available in three variants:

• Rear-wheel drive, 61.4 kWh, 203 PS / 310 Nm, 510 km (NEDC), 110 kW DC charging, 11 kW AC
• Rear-wheel drive, 82.6 kWh, 313 PS / 360 Nm, 650 km (NEDC), 150 kW DC charging, 11 kW AC
• All-wheel drive, 82.6 kWh, 530 PS / 670 Nm 580 km (NEDC), 150 kW DC charging, 11 kW AC

As a recap, Sime Darby Beyond Auto’s range of BYD passenger cars in Malaysia are priced as below:

• BYD Dolphin Dynamic Standard Range: RM 100,530
• BYD Dolphin Premium Extended Range: RM 125,530
• BYD Atto 3 Standard: RM 150,430
• BYD Atto 3 Extended: RM 168,430