Category Archives: SUV/4X4

BYD, Motoring, SUV, SUV/4X4

BYD Sealion 7: Rapid Charging and Exceptional Range

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BYD Sealion 7: Tesla Rival with Cutting-Edge EV Tech

BYD’s Tesla rivalling SUV is part of the Ocean Series, it features advanced battery tech, AI, and top-tier performance. It reportedly outsold Teslain the last quarter of 2024 and is now producing battery and charging technology that allows a top up to 80 per cent just five minutes.

Highlights:

  • Blade Battery: Durable lithium iron phosphate (LFP) with extreme stability.
  • Three Models:
    • Comfort (£46,990): 230 kW motor, 82.5 kWh battery, 300-mile plus range.
    • Design (£51,990): 390 kW AWD, 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds.
    • Excellence (£58,990): 91.3 kWh battery, 312-mile range, 230 kW ultra-rapid charging.
  • Fast Charging: 10-80% in 32 minutes (Comfort/Design) or 24 minutes (Excellence).

Design & Tech:

  • Sleek SUV with LED lights, panoramic roof, and rotating 15.6-inch touchscreen.
  • DiPilot driver-assist, vehicle-to-load (V2L), and 12-speaker audio.

Performance:

  • Instant acceleration, smooth ride, and AWD models hitting 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds.
Full review

Sealion SUV already making waves

By Bill McCarthy

BYD, the Chinese car maker, may be an unfamiliar name to many. But if the firm has its way it will be more recognisable name than Tesla. It is growing at scale, with its latest model, the Sealion 7, remarkably, the fourth to be offered the UK in a shade over two years, offering a mixture of cutting edge battery technology and increasing use of AI.

What is clear is that BYD, originally a battery maker, brings real expertise in that field with what it says is the world’s fastest mass-production electric motor, capable of reaching 23,000 rpm.

It is the latest in what BYD describe as the Ocean Series, incorporating the Dolphin and Seal, with a maximum range, depending on model of 312 miles and an an extremely rapid 0-62 mph time of just 4.5 seconds.

Not only that, it is a very capable SUV that has the Tesla Model Y firmly in its sights, having recently surpassed it in sales. Whether that is totally down to BYD quality, or the popularity of Tesla’s owner remains to be seen.

There are three versions: Comfort, Design and Excellence the latter pair both being all wheel drive while entry level is driven via the rear wheels.

  • Comfort: Starting at £46,990, this model features a 230 kW (312 hp) motor and an 82.5 kWh battery, providing a range of up to 300 miles. 
  • Design: Priced from £51,990, it includes a second motor, delivering 390 kW (530 hp) while maintaining the same battery. 
  • Excellence: This top-tier model starts at £58,990 and boasts a large 91.3 kWh battery, extending the range to 312 miles.

Both AWD versions accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds, compared to the Comfort’s 6.7 seconds.

Built on the new Platform 3.0 which is designed exclusively for electric vehicles it features BYD’s compact Blade battery that allows for more cells in a slimmer pack using lithium iron phosphate (LFP), said to be more durable than traditional lithium-ion.

The firm says the cell design ensures high stability, even under extreme conditions like overcharging, crushing, or puncturing.

It looks the part all right, It is a handsome-looking SUV, sporty but aerodynamic and featuring ‘floating’ LED headlights and to the rear, a full-width light signature all set off nicely by stylish 20-inch alloy wheels.

The spacious interior is a comfortable place to be, offering plenty of light from the full length, colour adjustable, panoramic roof. It seats five in comfort and has an eight-way electric driver’s seat and a premium feel to fixtures and fittings. It is dominated by a rotating 15.6 tablet style central screen that controls major functions.

New software delivers better integration of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, allowing direct access to smartphone functions on the 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and head-up display, which shows speed and safety data. 

It also features DiPilot driver-assistance features and a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function for powering external devices.

The new voice control system recognises commands from both front and rear passengers, (although some commands it seemed incapable of delivering) and the infotainment includes with a 12-speaker audio system.

On the road, the car performs well, instant acceleration, while occupants enjoy a comfortable quite ride. Handling is pretty good for such a big car, with little evidence of wallow. The test run was not long enough to determine range, however.

Charging just gets easier. The Comfort and Design models can accommodate DC charger speeds of up to 150kW, enabling a 10 to 80 per cent charge in just 32 minutes, while the Excellence supports ultra-rapid charging of up to 230kW, lopping eight minutes the 80 per recharge time despite its larger battery.

Motoring, SUV/4X4

A 7-seat SUV with off-road excellence

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KGM Rexton K50

By Bill McCarthy

It’s all change for a brand that has been around for nearly 70 years and is an SUV and four-wheel drive specialist, known for its rugged durability and off-road prowess.

For Korean brand SsangYong, yes SsangYong, now read KGM, a much more user friendly name – like BMW or BYD.

It has recently launched the mid-sized SUV Actyon, a first under the new KGM name, but others like the huge Rexton have been rebranded.

It looks the part, a huge seven-seat road presence. At more than two tonnes, it is not going to be the sharpest handler on the road, more of a well-specified workhorse with its seating capacity, off-road capability and the ability to tow a huge 3.5 tonnes.

It offers excellent value, starting at £39,500. For that price, you get a comprehensive package, with even this top-of-the-line model being highly competitive compared to its rivals. It offers a decent, if not class leading, interior with powered leather-style seats, illuminated scuff plates and ambient lighting.

The vehicle has a smart grille sporting the KGM logo, sleek LED headlights, and eye-catching alloy wheels with integrated roof bars. Trim levels start with the base model K20 featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch digital console, dual-zone climate control, and an eight-inch smartphone-compatible touchscreen.

The K40 adds TomTom navigation, a power tailgate, privacy glass, a smart key system, and selectable four-wheel drive. This K50 includes mood lighting, stainless steel finishes, a 3D surround view camera, and premium Nappa leather. It also has 20-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, driver seat memory, a wireless charger, roll-up sunshades, and air conditioning for all three rows. 

It is a practical seven-seater vehicle, though the last two seats are best for children or short trips. Folding them down creates a van-like space with ample storage.

With both rear rows folded down, there is 1,806 litres of boot space available, 872 litres with the second row upright, and 240 litres with all seats occupied. The double-folding second-row seats also make it easy to access the third row.

 It has a commanding driving position from an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, and while the layout might not look cutting edge, all controls are intuitive and handily placed. Dominant on this model is the 12 inch central screen, part of the new floating infotainment system which operates major functions and delivers important real-time information, including safety warnings

A 2.2-litre 202 PS turbo diesel engine provides ample power for various driving conditions. Although there is a noticeable clatter at startup, this sound fades once the vehicle is in motion.

For such a large vehicle, acceleration is decent, with the eight-speed automatic transmission allowing the vehicle to reach 60 mph in just under 11 seconds.

It primarily operates in two-wheel-drive mode, but if off-road conditions arise, the driver can easily switch to either high or low gear four-wheel drive. In this mode, the engine’s torque is evenly distributed to both the front and rear wheels.

Handling is wallowy on corners and the suspension can feel unsettled on poor roads, but otherwise, it is comfortable for passengers and is a decent motorway cruiser.

 Economy is so-so for the type of vehicle at around 33mpg, but this is a heavy seven-seater with four-wheel drive, ideal for the school run, taxi, or running a small business with a vehicle that needs stowage capacity.

Safety features are comprehensive and include nine airbags, autonomous emergency braking, safety distance warning, lane departure warning and trailer sway control.

With a starting price of  £40k-ish, against its competitors, it offers value for money and proven technology. It also looks good. Just remember the name.

Factfile

KMG Rexton K50

Price: £46,370 

Mechanical: 163ps, 2157cc, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine with eight-speed automatic transmission

Max speed: 114mph

0-62mph: 10.7 seconds

Combined MPG: 33

Insurance group: 39

C02 emissions: 227g/km

Warranty: 5yrs/100,000 miles