At a launch event held in Lahore yesterday, BYD officially announced the three vehicles that will be available in Pakistan: the Atto 3 (EV), Seal (EV), and Sealion 6 (PHEV). The event was attended by high-profile figures including top officials from Mega Motors and BYD, Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurengzeb, former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, and various company dealers.
Atto 3
According to BYD, the name “Atto” was inspired by the attosecond, the smallest time scale unit in physics, depicting that the vehicle is “speedy, energetic, and dynamic”.
It incorporates a 150 kW (201 hp; 204 PS) front-wheel drive electric motor generating 310 N⋅m (31.6 kg⋅m; 229 lb⋅ft) of torque, powered by BYD’s proprietary lithium iron phosphate (LFP) blade battery. It offers two battery pack options — the 49.92 kWh unit capable of travelling 430 km.
The standard range has a 0-100km time of 7.9 seconds, while the extended range will do the same in 7.3 seconds.
Seal
The BYD Seal is a battery electric mid-size fastback sedan. It is the second car of BYD’s “Ocean Series” after the smaller BYD Dolphin hatchback.
The Seal adopts many ocean-inspired design features. The exterior design features low hood, pop-out door handles, and long taillamp unit. The dashboard air vents of the Seal have a wavy pattern.
The Seal is equipped with either a 61.4 kWh or an 82.5 kWh LFP blade battery pack, which can be charged by a DC fast charger at 110 or 150 kW (depending on the model). BYD claims a domestic driving range between 550 and 700 kilometres.
The Seal’s top speed is limited to 180 kilometres per hour (110 mph), and the 0–100 km/h acceleration is claimed to be around 7.5 seconds for the standard models and 3.8 seconds for its AWD Performance model.
Sealion 6
BYD Sealion 6 is a plug-in hybrid SUV.
The Sealion 6 Dynamic is powered by a 78kW/135Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, paired to a 145kW/300Nm motor that is charged by an 18.3kWh ‘Blade’ battery.
Meanwhile, the Sealion 6 Premium uses a 96kW/220Nm 1.5L turbo petrol engine version, a 150kW/300Nm motor up front and a 120kW/250Nm motor out back, for AWD. The result is 238kW of maximum power and 550Nm of maximum torque.
The BYD Sealion 6 Dynamic sprints from zero to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds, while the BYD Sealion 6 Premium with the turbo and added electric motor slash that 0-100km/h time to 5.9s. Top speed is about 170km/h.
CEO’s message
Kamran Kamal, CEO of Hubco, addressed the attendees and outlined the plans for BYD in Pakistan. He announced that Mega Motors Co and BYD will establish three state-of-the-art flagship stores in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.
“We plan to set up 20 to 25 dealerships across the country within the first three years,” Kamal stated.
He expressed the company’s aim for every third Pakistani to own a BYD car within five years. He emphasized that the company is committed to making BYD vehicles accessible to every Pakistani who desires to own a car.
“We will build the first state-of-the-art New Energy Vehicle (NEV) assembly plant in Karachi,” Kamal revealed, adding that the company plans to establish electric car charging stations in major cities and along motorways and highways to alleviate range anxiety for customers.
Kamal also highlighted the potential for Pakistan to become an export hub for BYD vehicles, stating that the country has the capacity to play a significant role in the global EV market.
