In case you missed it, BYD Cars Philippines launched the Seal 5 DM-i—its first-ever sub-compact that happens to be a plug-in hybrid and priced starting at just P 948,000. Destroying the market norm—which would normally be poverty-spec small cars—the high amount of standard tech will drive the difference to first-time car buyers.
The biggest draw, however, remains BYD’s Super DM-i powertrain. Although it still has an Atkinson cycle 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine on board, by relying on electric power first (with up to 197 horsepower and 325 Nm of torque) and a large battery (18.3-kWh at its largest), the Seal 5 DM-i is projected to go up to 1,240 kilometers using the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) standard; 115 kilometers of that in pure electric range.
Not wanting to stick to just the theoretical, BYD Cars Philippines brought the Seal 5 DM-i on a road trip to just see how far it can go in one full charge and one full tank of gas. It’s a similar exercise they did with the larger and heavier Sealion 6 DM-i which it shares its powertrain with. At the time, it happened to produce a stonking 1,608 kilometers.
Can the Seal 5 DM-i do better?
Enlisting veteran racer George Ramirez, a couple of Seal 5 DM-i Premium sedans went through this route without refueling or charging:
Enlisting veteran racer George Ramirez, a couple of Seal 5 DM-i Premium sedans went through this route without refueling or charging:
- Day 1 – BGC, Taguig to Tuguegarao
- Day 2 – Tuguegarao to Caba, La Union
- Day 3 – Caba, La Union to BGC, Taguig
- Day 4 – BGC Taguig to Clark, Pampanga to Lipa, Batangas to BGC, Taguig
With its fuel-efficient powertrain and once-a-year PMS, BYD Cars Philippines says that the cost of ownership is 40 percent less compared to other sub-compacts out there. Even better, opt for the Seal 5 DM-i Premium variant, and you get a free 7-kW wall box charger. This means that short, daily trips can be done without the gas engine ever turning on.
Grabe itong Seal 5. The only question now is, will it be reliable & easy to maintain in Philippine setting.
ReplyDeleteThe range, the price, coding exemption, that's just a few of what the seal 5 has to offer, D*mn byd!!!! You really are killing the competition! Total winner car!
ReplyDeleteWait for the PMS , they have been silent
ReplyDeleteThat car is a prius in an altis body with a vios price. Wow!
ReplyDeleteOk All the buzz, but we may knew the sales Percentage of phev, hybrid, EV'S, here in ph vs ICE?
ReplyDeleteKawawa ang mga naka BEV! Madami nang mga hampas-lupang naka PHEV ang paparada sa mga EV Charging Stations sa mga malls.
ReplyDeleteIt’s already happening. My charging mates are usually PHEVs. As long as they don’t overstay, I don’t mind. Though, just last week, there was a fully charged PHEV at the EVCS of an SM Mall when I parked to charge. When I got back about two hours later, it was still there. Fortunately, no one waiting to charge, so I didn’t make a big deal out of it.
DeleteThat's the sad part. There needs to be charging etiquette in place already. When I drive a PHEV, I don't use any of those mall chargers. Personally, I think BEVs should take priority. I do my charging usually at home.
DeleteThe current situation is a double edged sword. BEV or PHEV owners will take advantage of it regardless if they need to charge or not, because (1) charging is still free and (2) because most of the time those spaces will be free of cars, and since they're driving one, they think may excuse na sila to park there
DeleteI saw once sa TriNoma two BEVs parked sa EV Charge spots, idk kung nag charge na sila before but when I drove by both cars aren't even plugged.
This needs to be policed. That's why it's good to pay for charging, because at least there's a level of service you'd expect for a paid service rather than when it's free.
DeleteThe dmax can do over 2000kms in a single tank verified.
ReplyDeleteWho verified that?
DeleteIt was done in a trip from Thailand to Malaysia. It wasn't done locally.
DeleteThe fuel tank capacity of isuzu dmax is 76L reaching 1000kms is possible with 13kms/L for open highway driving maybe, but 2000kms? I don't think so. Estimated fuel tank capacity of byd seal 5 dm-i is more or less 50L only.
DeleteIt's not a fair comparison for the dmax 13 kpl is just to inefficient.
DeleteWith BYD Seal it's doing 33 kpl on a smaller 48 liter tank.
33 will always be greater than a measly 13 kpl.
Boss DMax yata is not Apple to Apple with BYD V
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
DeleteNot apple to apple but dmax is heavier, tougher, more payload, simpler tech yet it reached 2k. Verified in Malaysia Oct 10 2024. Check it out. Dapat nga mas dehado pickup sa range test
ReplyDeleteDid 1,675 in local conditions:
Deletehttps://www.carguide.ph/2022/10/how-far-can-isuzu-d-max-and-mu-x-go.html
I saw that article on top gear ph all 3 dmax broke 1800kms and 2000kms
ReplyDeleteHere's a localized fuel efficiency test of the D-Max and mu-X that you could have shared instead:
Deletehttps://www.carguide.ph/2022/10/how-far-can-isuzu-d-max-and-mu-x-go.html
While ACMobility does love touting the range of their BYD plug-in hybrids, most people are missing the point. The main advantage of a PHEV is that short trips can be done without the gas engine ever turning on. That's not something a typical hybrid or diesel pickup truck can do.
ReplyDeleteThis. It's the 76 liters of the pickup vs. the 48 liter gas tank that would rarely go to gas stations being phev. I don't get the point of those claiming about 2k range of the dmax.
DeleteTotally agree. I have sold my two 8 year old ICEs in favor of sealion, seagull and and a solar set up here in Cebu recently. So far I got a P20k savings for a month on gasoline and electricity. It would not have been possible with just an HEV.
ReplyDeleteSir uly, what type of gasoline does this dm-i requires? I've read somewhere it's euro 6 on emission. How sensitive would that be? I mean, can it fill a 95 octane fuel? Or it needs 97 and up? Coz if the car requires higher/st octane, then this isn't for the masses after all coz there are only a few gas stations that can cater such compliant.
ReplyDeleteRuns okay on Euro 4 says ACMobility / BYD Cars Philippines. It does need 93 octane but since our fuels are either 91 or 95, they'd recommend to go 95 octane just to be sure.
DeleteAnd the fake rich people are now complaining.
ReplyDelete