BYD unveiled the Seal 08, its new flagship electric sedan, at the Beijing Auto Show this weekend. The vehicle packs BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery targeting over 1,000 km of CLTC range and megawatt-level flash charging that adds 400 km of range in five minutes.

It marks the first time the Blade Battery 2.0 and flash charging combination land in a full-size sedan, positioning it as a direct challenger to higher-end electric sedans.

Blade Battery 2.0 and flash charging

The Seal 08 is built on an 800-volt high-voltage platform and equipped with BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery, which uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry. BYD first announced the Blade Battery 2.0 in early March, claiming over 1,000 km of range under CLTC conditions — roughly double what the first-generation Blade Battery delivered.

The flash charging capability is the headline feature. BYD claims the system can replenish 400 km of range in five minutes and charge from 10% to 70% in the same timeframe. In cold weather down to -30°C, a 20% to 97% charge takes 12 minutes.

BYD has already started rolling out flash charging across its lineup, including the Yuan Plus and Song Ultra EV. CATL recently unveiled its own competing LFP battery with a six-minute full recharge, making ultra-fast charging the new battleground among Chinese battery makers.

Performance and specs

Regulatory filings confirm the Seal 08’s dual-motor all-wheel-drive variant produces a combined 510 kW (684 hp) — 190 kW from the front motor and 320 kW from the rear. Rear-wheel-drive versions are available with 255 kW and 320 kW outputs.

The sedan measures 5,150 mm long with a 3,030 mm wheelbase, putting it squarely in full-size territory. Curb weight sits at 2,040 kg. Top speed is rated at 240 km/h.

The chassis features rear-wheel steering for tighter low-speed maneuverability and BYD’s DiSus-A intelligent body control system, a dual-chamber air suspension setup. A roof-mounted LiDAR unit powers BYD’s God’s Eye B (DiPilot 300) intelligent driving system.

How it compares

The Seal 08’s claimed 1,000+ km CLTC range translates to roughly 620+ miles — though real-world figures under EPA or WLTP testing would be lower. For reference, the recently updated Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ claims 926 km under WLTP (575 miles) with its new 800V architecture and 118 kWh battery.

On power, the Seal 08’s 684 hp AWD configuration undercuts the EQS 580 4Matic’s 536 hp while offering more range. Mercedes charges $130,200+ for the EQS 580. BYD has not announced pricing for the Seal 08, but its China positioning suggests it will undercut European rivals significantly.

The Seal 08 is part of BYD’s Ocean 8 Series dual-flagship lineup, alongside the Sealion 08 SUV, which also debuted at the Beijing Auto Show this weekend.

Availability

The Seal 08 launches in China in Q2 2026. BYD has not confirmed international availability, but given its aggressive push into Europe — including the recent unveiling of the 1,000+ hp Denza Z hypercar headed to Goodwood — a European launch is likely.

It is expected to be priced between RMB 300,000 and RMB 350,000, which is the equivalent of about $42,000 to $49,000 USD.

Electrek’s Take

I saw BYD’s booth at the Beijing Auto Show this weekend and it is absolutely crazy how massive this company has become. Between all its brands — BYD, Denza, Yangwang, Fang Cheng Bao — BYD had an entire hall to itself, displaying what seemed like over a hundred vehicles. No other automaker on earth comes close to that kind of breadth.

The Seal 08 is the latest product of that scale. When you can spread R&D costs for a battery platform like Blade 2.0 across dozens of models and millions of vehicles, you get flagship technology at prices that European and American competitors simply cannot match. BYD sold over 4 million vehicles last year and is on track for significantly more in 2026.

That’s the part that should worry every other automaker. It’s not just the 1,000 km range or the five-minute charging — it’s that BYD can roll this tech into a $22,000 compact EV and a $100,000+ hypercar in the same quarter. That kind of vertical integration and scale is unprecedented in the auto industry.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.