BYD adds AWD variant to Sea Lion 6 PHEV lineup, priced at W41.9m

BYD Korea has added an all-wheel-drive variant to its Sea Lion 6 DM-i plug-in hybrid SUV lineup. The new model places electric motors on both the front and rear axles to boost driving performance and expands battery capacity, enabling a maximum electric-only range of 93 kilometers.

BYD Korea opened pre-orders for the Sea Lion 6 DM-i AWD on Tuesday. It is priced at 41.9 million won ($30,800), which is 4.4 million won more than the existing front-wheel-drive model at 37.5 million won.

The Sea Lion 6 DM-i is a plug-in hybrid SUV that made its domestic debut at the Busan Mobility Show in June. It runs on BYD's DM-i system, which prioritizes electric motor propulsion and engages the combustion engine only when needed.

The new AWD variant places a dedicated electric motor on each axle. The front motor produces a maximum output of 150 kW (204 horsepower) and 300 Nm of torque, while the rear motor delivers the same peak output of 150 kW (204 horsepower) with 340 Nm of torque.

The vehicle accelerates from a standstill to 100 kilometers per hour in 5.0 seconds, a significant improvement over the front-wheel-drive model in outright performance.

The AWD system also introduces new terrain-specific driving modes. A Mud mode and a Sand mode allow drivers to adjust traction output to suit unpaved roads, campsite access tracks and other challenging surfaces.

Battery capacity grows to 26.6 kWh, enabling a maximum electric-only range of 93 kilometers under Ministry of Environment certification standards — 23 kilometers, or about 33 percent, more than the 70-kilometer figure for the front-wheel-drive model. For shorter daily trips such as commuting, drivers can use the vehicle much like a pure electric car.

The model supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, allowing users to power home appliances and electronic devices outdoors at up to 3.3 kW. DC fast charging is supported at up to 18 kW.

Interior convenience features have also been upgraded. The AWD trim comes with an Infinity sound system comprising 10 speakers including a subwoofer, multi-color ambient interior lighting and metal door sill plates.

A head-up display is also included. The driver's seat offers eight-way power adjustment with a memory function that stores seating positions for individual drivers.

"The Sea Lion 6 DM-i has attracted strong interest since its domestic debut, and since deliveries began in August it has been helping to expand the imported PHEV market," a BYD Korea official said. "We are pleased to be able to meet the expectations of customers seeking a wider range of PHEV options with an AWD trim that combines dynamic driving performance and premium convenience features."

BYD is also rapidly growing its overall sales in South Korea. The brand recorded 2,614 new registrations among imported vehicles in September, ranking fourth among import brands, while cumulative registrations for the January–September period reached 20,137 units — a 578.7 percent increase from the same period a year earlier.

The electric vehicle models Dolphin and Sea Lion 7 have been leading the sales surge. In September, the Dolphin posted 1,221 registrations and the Sea Lion 7 recorded 753.