BYD has revealed a big update for the Sealion 5 – not to be confused with the Sealion 05 revealed a few days ago – in China, where it’s called the Song Pro. It features revised styling for a fresher look, new technology and larger battery options for more electric driving range, now up to a claimed 301km (CLTC) or a 33.3 per cent increase in China on the pre-updated model.

On the outside, the updated Sealion 5/Song Pro features a sleeker new front end design, with smaller headlights than the current model and new alloy wheel designs. There’s also a newly-optional LiDAR-based active safety suite, which can be seen from the new LiDAR point on the front of the roof.

At the side, a new vent has been added ahead of the door, and a new rear window design as well, while the rear bumper now sports a chrome piece.

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Inside, the Sealion 5’s cabin has been given a new two-spoke steering wheel, a new larger touchscreen and a cleaner centre console design thanks to the new addition of the gear selector located behind the steering wheel.

Under the body, in China at least, the Song Pro’s two battery options have been made larger for more electric driving range. A smaller 26.6kWh unit provides 220km of electric range, and a larger 34.7kWh with up to 301km of electric range – both figures are from China’s lenient CLTC testing cycle, and would be greater than the WLTP-rated range.

However, according to CarNewsChina, those figures are still improvements of up to 33.3 per cent compared with the current model and it’s rated at 3.2L/100km for fuel consumption in China.

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For reference, the Australian-spec Sealion 5 currently offers either 12.9kWh or 18.3kWh battery options for between 71km and 100km of NEDC-rated electric range.

BYD has also updated the Song Pro mechanically with its ‘DiSus-C’ adaptive dampers, which reportedly adapt to driving conditions to suppress body roll and enhance handling. The updated Song Pro also boasts a high-speed tyre blowout stability control system.

BYD Australia is yet to comment on the updated Sealion 5/Song Pro, but we predict it being launched locally within the next 12 months.