Official specifications for the 2026 BYD Sealion 08 SUV reveal some barely believable numbers. The figures recorded by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) reveal that BYD’s newest flagship model features some outrageous specifications.

The new Sealion 08 is positioned as the top-tier model for BYD’s Ocean Series of cars in China, which itself is positioned slightly downmarket from the Dynasty Series. The Sealion 08 is the latest in a growing field of large, luxurious three-row SUVs from Chinese brands.

Despite the similar name, the Sealion 08 is not related to the plug-in hybrid Sealion 8 sold in Australia.

Details for three versions of the Sealion 08 have been published, as reported by Car News China, and it’s towards the top of the range that things get most interesting.

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The entry-level version features a 92.1-kilowatt-hour battery, enabling a claimed 710km driving range according to Chinese efficiency standards. It also features a single motor driving the rear wheels with a maximum 320kW output.

The longest-range model, however, moves the game on with a larger 115.1kWh battery, unlocking a claimed range of 900km. To get there, the massive battery pack weighs in at 810.5kg by itself.

To give that figure some heft, the lightest new car sold in Australia, the Suzuki Swift, has a tare weight of 890kg, just 79.5kg more than the Sealion 08’s battery pack.

The lightest version of the Sealion 08 has a kerb weight of 2420kg, of which 633kg is battery weight. The longest-range model – which retains a single motor but bumps power to 370kW – pushes up to 2595kg.

Above that sits the range-topping Sealion 08 AWD with a 585kW dual-motor setup that pushes kerb weight to 2710kg with the 810.5kg battery on board. Range for the AWD model drops to 800km under CLTC testing.

In Australia, Hyundai lists the heaviest version of the seven-seat Palisade hybrid at 2294kg, around 416kg lighter. BYD’s own Sealion 8 PHEV, as sold in Australia is closer, however, at 2580kg.

Although not confirmed for Australia, the Sealion 08 has reportedly been developed with export markets outside of China in mind as the brand looks to increase sales volumes away from its domestic market.