BYD is preparing to challenge the 200,000-yuan (about $28,200) sedan segment with its new Seagull 08, a mid-to-large flagship offered in both plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery-electric (BEV) forms. Chinese automotive outlet Autohome recently completed a first drive of the pure-electric all-wheel-drive version, publishing its impressions of the car's powertrain, chassis and driver-assistance systems.
The tested BEV variant pairs front and rear electric motors for a combined output of 510 kW (about 684 hp), enabling a claimed 0-100 km/h sprint of just 3.3 seconds. Energy comes from a 92 kWh second-generation blade battery, with a CLTC-rated range of 785 km. That figure, measured under China's optimistic CLTC cycle, likely translates to roughly 630-670 km on the more realistic WLTP standard (est.).
Comfort-First Chassis With DiSus-A Air Suspension
Autohome's drive report highlights the Seagull 08's ride quality, which leans heavily toward comfort. The car uses a front double-wishbone and rear five-link independent suspension setup, paired with closed-chamber dual-chamber air springs and electronically controlled variable dampers. This hardware forms the basis of BYD's DiSus-A intelligent body control system, which can adjust damper stiffness and ride height automatically based on road conditions and driving mode.
The air suspension offers 55 mm of adaptive ride-height adjustment, balancing off-road clearance with highway stability. Autohome noted that the chassis filters small bumps and rough patches quickly, with minimal body movement over undulating roads, bridge joints and even jump sections. At highway speeds, the car feels planted and quiet, with strong body control during fast cornering despite its size.
The steering is tuned light, and a rear-wheel steering system makes the large sedan feel far more agile than its dimensions suggest. Autohome compared its low-speed manoeuvrability to that of a compact family car, praising the rear axle's quick response during U-turns and lane changes.
Conservative ADAS: Safe but Cautious
Autohome also tested the Seagull 08's "God's Eye B" advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) over roughly 20-30 km of highway and urban roads. The system's tuning is conservative and safety-first, according to the report. On highways, it holds lane and speed reliably, but in scenarios like lane merges or roadworks with adjacent traffic, it tends to slow down and yield rather than assertively find a gap like a human driver would.
In urban settings, the system's intervention logic is similarly cautious. When facing sudden situations such as a large truck cutting in closely or a pedestrian crossing, the response can feel slightly rushed. Autohome cautioned that its short test could not fully map the system's capabilities, and that longer, more varied testing would be needed for a complete assessment.
The Seagull 08's DM version, meanwhile, uses a 1.5T turbocharged plug-in hybrid powertrain, broadening the model's appeal to buyers who need flexibility between electric and fuel-powered driving. BYD has not yet announced official pricing or a launch date for the Seagull 08, but its positioning as a 200,000-yuan-class flagship puts it in direct competition with other Chinese electric sedans in that fast-growing price band.
