BYD has unveiled its plan to launch a new all-electric hatchback, BYD Great Seagull, whose launch is all set to happen by late 2026. Regarding its launch, the manager of BYD’s Ocean network sales division, Zhang Zhuo, has officially confirmed it at the Chengdu Auto Show 2026.
This upcoming car is all set to measure 4.2 metres in length, which sits above the Seagull and below the Dolphin in the Ocean family. The code specifications are already in the public domain thanks to China’s MIIT filing release for vehicles on July 10, 2026, which is the same as the next-gen BYD Seagull that we earlier referred to that is also known by the following names in the international market.
- Dolphin Mini
- BYD Dolphin Surf
- BYD Atto 1
Officially there’s no confirmed date for the launch of the model, but the most expected timeline for the same is December 2026 following the presale start. Its wheelbase, height and width are 2,650 mm, 1,570 mm and 1,810 mm, respectively. It is confirmed to be available with a single wheel size option, which is 16 inches with 205/60 R16 tyres.
The kerb weight is set to be 1,180 kg to 1,255 kg, depending on battery packs that are 30 kWh and 39.2 kWh. Compared to the Seagull and the Dolphin, this upcoming EV is 425 mm and 65 mm shorter in terms of length, respectively. Prior to launch, it had already been spotted testing without any camouflage on Chinese roads multiple times.
One of the interior images shows that its cabin has a two-spoke steering wheel, a slim digital instrument cluster, a large floating touchscreen infotainment system, and a large centre console with two cups, one wireless phone charging pad, and a hidden storage compartment. The exterior image appearing in the MIIT filing has already revealed it gets the following:
Integrated LED headlights with daylight running lights and slim headlamps on the edges, a BYD logo below the hood, and lower horizontal air intakes.
A-pillar mounted ORVMs integrating slim LED blinkers, semi-hidden door handles, eight-spoke alloy wheels, and lower body cladding on the sides.
Roof-integrated rear, horizontal-orientated taillamps; large windscreen; bumper-integrated reflectors; and BYD lettering on the tailgate at the rear.
It gets a permanent magnet synchronous motor being mated with single-speed automatic transmission; they are mounted on the front axle and feature a front-wheel-drive drivetrain. The power output is 95 kW (127 hp), featuring the top speed of 150 km/h. With the standard and large battery pack, it gives 320 km and 420 km, respectively, with the energy efficiency of 10.7 km per kWh.
The image filed during the homologation process doesn’t have any roof-mounted LIDAR, but the recently spied image shows the model with it, hinting and confirming that they will launch the model in more than one variant besides battery pack configurations. The LIDAR hints that it is equipped with DiPilot 300 (“God’s Eye B”), BYD’s latest ADAS, which offers the following features:
- Urban & Highway NOA,
- Automatic lane changes,
- Adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance
- Automatic emergency braking and collision-avoidance assistance,
- Traffic-light and road-environment recognition,
- Intelligent parking and others.
Its closest rival is the Geely Xingyuan (EX2), compared to which it measures 70 mm longer and 5 mm wider, generates 10 kW (13 hp) wider, gives 60 km less range with the 0.1 to 1.0 kWh smaller lithium-ion battery pack, has 10 km/h higher speed, and has 75 to 150 kg less kerb weight.
This upcoming hatchback is ideal for city commuters, buyers wanting a more powerful option than Seagull, needing a car for the occasional highway use, seeking an technology-focused vehicle, looking for a long-range EV, or slightly large electric hatchback.