BYD on Friday launched the first midsize battery sport utility vehicle named after a marine animal, targetting young Chinese customers with its flashy design and seeking to compete with Tesla’s Model Y at a price range between RMB 189,800 and RMB 239,800 ($26,268-$33,188). The entry-level Sea Lion 07 EV will have a driving range of 550 kilometers (342 miles) and charge from 10% to 80% in 25 minutes. BYD said its latest EV platform will enable a charging power of 240 kilowatts with most chargers. The vehicle can reach speeds of 225 kilometers per hour (140 mph), powered by what the company claims is the world’s fastest electric motor for production cars, spinning at up to 23,000 revolutions per minute (rpms). The hatchback crossover is similar in size to its sibling, battery sports sedan Seal, in overall body and wheelbase length, but larger than the Dolphin and Seagull battery sedans. [BYD release, in Chinese]
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