From 8 am on Wednesday, BYD concentrated its engineering and marketing team in Brazil, together with specialized journalists and test drivers from TSO, a company that organizes and monitors tests promoted by automakers, at Haras Tuiuti. The reason was to show the second generation Tan SUV and the Seal sports sedan, which are successful in the Brazilian market, in a practical and compelling way to the press. The Seal surpasses the Toyota Corolla in sales.
On the winding and challenging 2700 meter asphalt track, the team began testing with the Tan SUV, later moving on to the Seal. 17 laps were carried out with the Tan and 10 laps with the Seal, including full acceleration tests, sudden braking, and high-speed trajectory changes, providing a complete technical evaluation of the products.
SUV Tan was the big news of the test
| Photo: Renato Rossi / Special CP
Tan, measuring 4m97cm long, has a large size that does not compromise its agility and speed. Its total power of 517 hp comes from two electric motors installed on both axles, generating a maximum torque of 69.4 kgfm that can press the body against the seat during stronger accelerations.
It reaches 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, a milestone more common in sports cars than in seven-seater SUVs, such as the Tan, which is essentially family-friendly and weighs more than two tons. Its refined interior, with ergonomic Nappa leather seats, suede-covered dashboard, illuminated gear selector and new ambient lighting with 31 available colors, offers a comfortable environment. Also noteworthy are the 15.6-inch rotating infotainment system and the Dynaudio sound system with 12 speakers.
| Photo: Renato Rossi/ Special / CP
BYD’s specialized platform exposed close to the track impresses with the robustness of the high-strength steel cross members and the “air pockets” that serve as damping on the rear axle. During tests on the challenging track, it became clear that the Tan is a heavy vehicle, subject to inertial forces in curves, requiring extra care when driving at high speeds, which are only permitted on test tracks and race tracks.
The beast Seal
The Seal, parked next to the tracks, appeared to be a beast ready to attack. If it were an animal, it would be the Leopard, the fastest and most aggressive of the big cats. However, Seal is not a ferocious animal, but rather a fundamentally competent product with aggressive behavior. Although it is not a constant challenge like a Porsche Carrera GT, it requires calculated driving to deliver its strong performance within safe parameters. The Seal’s two electric motors add up to 531 hp, with an impressive torque of 59 kgfm, taking it from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, although its top speed is 190 kilometers per hour.
Thanks to Cell to Body technology, the Seal’s battery integrates with the floor, lowering the center of gravity and increasing torsional rigidity. In the multiple curves of the test circuit at high speeds, the Seal remains low to the ground, helped by the body that is 10mm lower compared to a conventional sedan. The Seal showed fast and safe performance on the track, comparable to German sports cars. BYD seeks to make Seal more competitive in terms of price and performance in the market, both nationally and internationally. To ensure speed and safety, the BYD sedan features an advanced double wishbone suspension at the front and a multi-link suspension with five support points at the rear. With a high level of artificial intelligence in multiple cameras, radars and sensors, Seal monitors everything that happens around you in real time, ensuring a safe and pleasant driving experience.
