Quick Reads
- BYD’s upcoming SUV will have a Dual Mode intelligence (DM-i) system, which pairs a petrol engine with an electric motor
- The upcoming BYD car might be the premium Sealion 6 mid-size SUV or the Atto 2 crossover.
- The vehicles will directly target the premium SUV segment and offer a high-range alternative to existing strong hybrids.
BYD is finally preparing to bring its first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) to the Indian market. The upcoming hybrid SUV is expected to be the BYD Atto 2 or the Sealion 6. BYD’s plug-in hybrid tech, which they call ‘Dual Mode intelligence (DM-i)’ technology, includes the electric motor as the key propulsion for the vehicle.
This hybrid launch could prove to be a solid strategy for the brand in India. The brand has built its foundation in the country strictly on pure electric vehicles, establishing a premium foothold with the eMax 7, Atto 3, Sealion 7, and the Seal sedan. However, recognising the infrastructural limitations and inherent range anxiety that still dictate purchasing decisions outside tier-one cities, the automaker is officially teasing the introduction of a PHEV. The intent is to capture a demographic that remains hesitant about full electrification but desires EV-like refinement and running costs.
Decoding the DM-i Powertrain
The core of this upcoming launch is BYD’s DM-i technology, which operates quite differently from the traditional strong hybrids currently popular in India.
Under most urban driving conditions, a high-capacity Blade battery powers the electric motor to drive the wheels, while the internal combustion engine acts predominantly as a generator to maintain battery charge. The engine only engages to mechanically drive the wheels during high-speed highway cruising, where an internal combustion engine is at its most efficient.
Globally, this setup typically delivers a pure electric range of 80 to 100 kilometres, coupled with a combined range that can easily exceed 1,000 kilometres on a single tank and charge.
Identifying the Contender: Sealion 6 or Atto 2?
BYD India has kept the exact model identity under wraps in its latest teasers, though we speculate the new BYD hybrid car to be either the BYD Sealion 6 or the BYD Atto 2 with the DM-i PHEV powertrain.
The BYD Sealion 6 has been spotted testing a few times in India, and the brand even put it on display at the Bharat Mobility Expo 2025 to see the audience’s interest.
The BYD Sealion 6 is known in several global markets as the Seal U DM-i. Measuring nearly 4.78 metres in length, this mid-size SUV is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated or turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an 18.3 kWh or a 26.6 kWh battery pack. The total combined power output for the NA engine stands at 162 kW (218 hp), with an all-electric NEDC-claimed (New European Driving Cycle) range of up to 140km. Meanwhile, the turbo-petrol version loops in an AWD (All Wheel Drive) system and delivers a combined power output of 256 kW (344 hp), with up to 128 km of all-electric range.
The stance of the BYD Sealion 6 PHEV is similar to the Sealion 7 EV, which has received a good response from Indian buyers so far. Its strengths include its substantial interior volume, advanced ADAS features, and a plush cabin that has become one of the brand’s core philosophies in India.
Alternatively, BYD could bring the Atto 2 DM-i to India, which was also spied testing in India last year. The Atto 2 DM-i globally pairs the 1.5-litre NA engine with a 7.8 kWh or an 18 kWh battery pack. The Atto PHEV delivers 123 kW (166 hp) in the 7.8 kWh version, while the larger 18 kWh variant produces 158 kW (212 hp). According to BYD, the two trims offer a claimed combined WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) range of 928 km and 998 km, respectively. Despite the difference in battery capacity, both versions are rated to deliver an electric-only driving range of close to 39 km.
Market Positioning and Implications
Expected to be brought in via the Completely Knocked Down (CKD) route to keep import taxation in check, the upcoming PHEV is likely to be positioned competitively, as BYD does with its EV offerings, delivering a great price-to-value ratio.
If the brand arrives with the Atto 2 Plug-in hybrid, it will be an interesting proposition. If they price it around the Rs 25 lakh range, it will directly compete with both ICE vehicles like the Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Compass, and Mahindra XUV 7X0, as well as the strong hybrid models from Toyota and Maruti Suzuki.
