In a major development for the Indian automotive market, a test mule of the BYD Sealion 6 DM-i plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV has been spotted testing on Indian roads. This marks BYD’s serious push into the hybrid segment in India, as the company currently sells only pure electric vehicles here.
The undisguised test vehicle was recently captured on public roads, indicating that BYD is actively evaluating the Sealion 6 for a potential India launch. The SUV was previously showcased at the 2025 Auto Expo to gauge customer interest. It is globally known as the Seal U or Song Plus DM-i and will be BYD’s first plug-in hybrid model in the Indian market.
If launched, the Sealion 6 PHEV will directly compete with JSW Motors’ upcoming Jetour T2-based plug-in hybrid SUV, which is also expected to arrive in India later in 2026. This upcoming rivalry highlights the growing interest in PHEV technology among Indian buyers who want the benefits of electric driving with the flexibility of a petrol engine for longer trips.
Key Highlights of BYD Sealion 6 PHEV
- Powertrain: Equipped with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine combined with electric motors.
- Performance: The top AWD variant is expected to deliver strong combined output (around 323 hp in global specs).
- Range: Claimed total range of over 1,000–1,100 km on a full tank and charged battery. Pure electric range is expected between 70–110 km depending on the battery variant (18.3 kWh or 26.6 kWh Blade Battery).
- Positioning: A premium mid-size SUV with modern design, connected tail lamps, and a feature-rich cabin.
The model supports both AC and DC fast charging and offers V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) functionality.
BYD has so far focused exclusively on electric vehicles in India (Atto 3, Seal, Sealion 7). Introducing the Sealion 6 PHEV suggests the company is adopting a multi-powertrain approach to accelerate growth, especially as hybrids gain popularity due to range anxiety and charging infrastructure limitations.
