All-new BYD Seagull grows by 425 mm and gains a 127 hp motor

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology published two new BYD Seagull battery-electric filings on 10 July 2026. Their dimensions, body and powertrain differ so substantially from the car on sale that this is a full generational change rather than another equipment update.

The distinction matters because BYD launched the current 2026 Seagull only on 11 May. That model kept the 3780 mm body and 55 kW motor while adding optional LiDAR. BYD has not officially called the newly filed car a “2027 model,” even though that phrase is already appearing in search and overseas coverage.

The current BYD Seagull and the wider BYD range are available in AutoCore’s catalogue.

The new car is 4205 mm long, 1810 mm wide and 1570 mm tall. Against the current China-market Seagull, those increases are 425, 95 and 30 mm. Wheelbase grows from 2500 to 2650 mm, and the official seating count rises from four to five.

At 4.205 metres, the new Seagull is close to the 4.28-metre Chinese Dolphin. Its role therefore changes from a minimal urban EV into a proper compact hatchback that could work more convincingly as a small family’s only car.

Filing images show slim polygonal headlights, semi-hidden door handles and calmer proportions. At the rear, two separate lamp units frame the BYD badge. Every listed version uses 205/60 R16 tyres.

Both filings use a permanent-magnet synchronous motor built by Zhengzhou BYD Auto. Peak output is 95 kW, or 127 hp. The current Seagull produces 55 kW, so the increase is 40 kW, equal to about 72.7%.

Top speed rises from 130 to 150 km/h. MIIT does not list acceleration, torque or gearing, so performance claims beyond that would be speculation. The larger power reserve should nevertheless improve motorway response and performance with five occupants.

The bigger body also adds weight. The base version is 1180 kg and the sensor-rich car is 1255 kg; gross weights are 1555 and 1630 kg. Even after accounting for mass, the power-to-weight ratio should improve substantially.

The two declarations differ mainly in mass and sensor configuration. The upper version can add LiDAR, front and rear radar, side radar and extra cameras, indicating support for BYD’s more capable driver-assistance stack.

BYD has already tested that formula on the current Seagull. Its LiDAR-equipped God’s Eye B package starts at 90,900 yuan and supports urban navigation assistance, traffic-light recognition and more complex path planning. Carrying the hardware into the new generation shows that BYD does not intend to reserve LiDAR for expensive cars.

LiDAR is optional, however, and a sensor alone does not make a car autonomous. Final functions depend on trim, processors, software approval and the market where the vehicle is sold.

The filing confirms LFP chemistry and FinDreams Battery as supplier, but it omits pack capacity. Certified range, energy use, DC charging power, charging time and Vehicle-to-Load are also missing. BYD has not announced prices or a firm launch date.

The current Seagull uses 30.08 and 38.88 kWh packs for 305 and 405 km CLTC. Those figures cannot be carried over: the new body is larger and heavier, and BYD may revise the platform, battery modules and charging electronics.

Exports are equally uncertain. Dolphin Surf, Dolphin Mini and Atto 1 are regional versions of the existing family. Europe, the UK, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Russia would require separate confirmation and homologation for the new body.

Seagull became one of BYD’s most successful vehicles, with 529,537 China sales in 2025 and more than 1.45 million cumulative units since 2023. Momentum weakened sharply in the first half of 2026, however: sales fell 42.6% year on year to 163,174.

Competition explains the redesign. Buyers of budget EVs now expect family space, stronger motorway performance and advanced assistance, while Geely Xingyuan and newer rivals have eroded Seagull’s advantage. BYD is answering with a more versatile car rather than another small price cut.

The risk is overlap with Dolphin. BYD will need to separate the two through batteries, equipment and price while preserving Seagull’s affordability. More Chinese EVs can be compared in the AutoCore catalogue.