BYD’s cut-price line-up is set to get a major boost with news that a new EV hatch is on the way in China this year. The Great Seagull is slated to fill the gap between the ultra-cheap Atto 1 and the Dolphin, setting it up to compete against the Geely EX2 and GAC’s Aion UT.

The general manager of BYD’s Ocean network sales division, Zhang Zhuo, made the announcement at the recent Chengdu Auto Show, revealing that the new Great Seagull will go on sale in China this year.

4

At 4205mm in length, the newcomer is 425mm longer than the current Seagull, which is sold in Australia under the Atto 1 name. That also makes it 65mm shorter than the Dolphin. Width is 1810mm, it’s 1570mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2650mm.

Other specs revealed when BYD applied for a Chinese sales licence in July show that the Great Seagull will feature a single electric motor making 95kW, with a lithium iron phosphate battery that comes in 30kWh and 39.2kWh versions offering a CLTC range of 320km and 420km respectively. That compares well with the all-electric entry-level Dolphin Dynamic’s 70kW of power and claimed WLTP range of up to 340km.

The Great Seagull’s kerb weight will come in between 1180kg and 1255kg, and the hatch will have a top speed of 150km/h. It will also get 16-inch rims. When the vehicle was seen being road-tested in China, it had a roof-mounted LiDAR sensor, according to Car News China.

4

The outlet also speculated that the imminent arrival of the Great Seagull – which is almost certain to be renamed for the Aussie market – means BYD will “kill” the Dolphin Dynamic with its less-powerful motor.

One of the cars that shapes as a natural competitor for the Great Seagull, the Geely EX2, would be down on power by comparison, with the cheaper Complete version running a single 60kW electric motor. The range-topping Inspire, which is around $5000 more expensive, features an 85kW/150Nm powerplant.