Official information remains limited ahead of its Chinese launch, but images from BYD and Chinese regulatory filings leave little doubt about the scale of the transformation. The new Seagull measures 4.205 meters long, 1.810 meters wide, and 1.570 meters high, with a 2.650-meter wheelbase.

That makes it at least 425 mm longer than today’s 3.78-meter Seagull, while the wheelbase grows by 150 mm. The four-seater also becomes a five-seater.

From city car to B-segment

For Europe, the dimensions matter most. They move the Seagull out of traditional city-car territory and firmly toward the B-segment, where cars such as the Renault 5, Citroën ë-C3, and Volkswagen’s upcoming ID. Polo operate.

Power also rises sharply. Chinese homologation documents show a 95 kW (127 hp) electric motor, compared with 55 kW in the outgoing Seagull’s Chinese version.

The motor also moves from the front to the rear axle, making the new model rear-wheel drive. That frees enough space under the hood for a 94-liter front luggage compartment.

China lists two LFP battery sizes: 30 and 39.2 kWh. They provide 320 km and 420 km, respectively, under the more generous Chinese CLTC cycle. CarNewsChina estimates WLTP range at roughly 262 to 344 km, although official European homologation figures do not yet exist.

There are also indications that BYD could equip the car with its latest ultra-fast charging technology. Chinese reports suggest that a flash-charging version could potentially charge from 10 to 97% in nine minutes, but BYD has not yet confirmed that specification for production cars or for Europe.

Massage seat in BYD’s cheapest EV

The transformation is equally striking inside. BYD has fitted a large floating central display with a 3/7 split layout. The smaller left-hand section displays driving information such as speed, range, and drive mode, while the larger section handles navigation, multimedia, and other infotainment functions.

The front seats are electrically adjustable, and the driver’s seat gets a massage function. It also offers multi-color ambient lighting, rear ventilation, and extra storage compartments beneath the second-row seats.

With the rear seats folded, BYD claims up to 1,380 liters of luggage volume. Combined with the 94-liter frunk, that is unusual practicality for a model that started life as one of China’s cheapest EVs.

Optional roof-mounted LiDAR will also be available in China as part of BYD’s DiPilot 300 driver-assistance package, also known as God’s Eye B.

Chinese price war forces Seagull to grow up

The redesign also shows how quickly the Chinese EV market is evolving. The current Seagull sold 74,087 units in China between January and August 2026, according to China EV DataTracker. That was 66.5% fewer than during the same period a year earlier, as newer rivals such as Geely’s Xingyuan gained ground.

The outgoing Seagull costs between 69,900 and 85,900 yuan in China. CarNewsChina expects the new generation to remain below 100,000 yuan, or less than €15,000 before European taxes and import duties.

Rather than responding with an even cheaper model, BYD appears to be giving buyers more space, power, and equipment while keeping the Seagull in the same broadly affordable market position.

Europe finally gets its €25,000 EVs

For European manufacturers, the timing is particularly interesting. They have only just begun to populate the long-promised €20,000-€25,000 EV segment.

In Belgium, the current Dolphin Surf starts at a list price of € 21,440, while Hyundai’s Inster starts at €23,349 and the entry-level Renault 5 at €24,900. Citroën has pushed the ë-C3 close to the €20,000 threshold, while Volkswagen is targeting roughly €25,000 with the ID. Polo.

That means a future European version of the new Seagull could face a very different competitive landscape from its predecessor.

But BYD’s response appears to be no more than making its cheapest EV even cheaper. Instead, it adds the size, power, practicality, and equipment normally associated with more expensive cars.

That could shift the pressure on European manufacturers from pure sticker price toward the amount of car and equipment offered for the money.

European price remains the big question

A European launch has not yet been officially announced, nor has BYD confirmed that the new model will retain the Dolphin Surf name outside China. Some reports suggest a European price around €30,000, but that figure remains speculative.

BYD also still faces the EU’s additional 17% countervailing duty on Chinese-built battery-electric cars, in addition to the normal import duty. Increasing European production could eventually soften that disadvantage, depending on where future models are manufactured.