2024 BYD Seagull EV leaked, not on local arm’s radar

BYD‘s smallest electric vehicle (EV) yet has leaked online ahead of an expected reveal later this year.

Dubbed the BYD Seagull, this small electric hatchback was first spotted by Car News China on the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) website. It’s expected to slot underneath the Dolphin hatchback.

Don’t expect the Seagull to be coming to Australia any time soon though, if at all. Luke Todd, CEO and managing director of local BYD distributor EVDirect told CarExpert it’s currently “not on the radar”.

This isn’t surprising given Mitsubishi Australia recently ruled out the tiny eK X EV Kei car.

Photo Credit: Car News China

According to the Chinese government filings, the BYD Seagull could also be called the Dolphin Q or Dolphin Mini.

The small hatchback measures in at 3780mm long, 1715mm wide, and 1540mm tall, with a 2500mm wheelbase. This is 185mm longer, 120mm wider, and 55mm taller than the petrol-powered Kia Picanto.

It’s marginally smaller than the Volkswagen Polo and Toyota Yaris-sized BYD Dolphin hatch too.

Power in the BYD Seagull will come from a single electric motor producing 55kW of power. The hatchback’s top speed will be 130km/h.

There will also a battery pack of undisclosed size. Overseas reports have speculated that it will have a BYD Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery with a capacity of 30.7kWh.

In the Chinese MIIT filing there are also a few exterior images of the BYD Seagull which show it has a similar design to the Dolphin. It almost looks like a futuristic Holden Barina Spark from some angles.

There are what appear to be LED headlights, a single front window wiper, flush door handles, and a sporty roof spoiler.

The Chinese MIIT website doesn’t have any imagery of the Seagull’s interior, but says it has four seats.

Although the Seagull isn’t locked in for an Australian launch, there are still plenty of other BYD models due to arrive shortly.

Mr Todd told CarExpert in December last year the MG 4 and GWM Ora Good Cat-rivalling BYD Dolphin is set to launch in Australia in the first half of 2023.

The exact date for when orders for the Dolphin open will be announced in February, he added.

The BYD Dolphin will be followed by the Tesla Model 3-rivalling Seal, which is set to launch in Australia in the second half of 2023.

Mr Todd also confirmed in December last year BYD will launch an electric ute in 2024, which will form as a competitor to the LDV eT60, plus the incoming JAC T9 EV and (potentially) Geely Radar RD6.

MORE: BYD Dolphin EV hatch here in first half of 2023MORE: BYD Seal EV: New Tesla Model 3 rival for Australia later in 2023MORE: BYD electric ute set for 2024 Australian launch