BYD is preparing to launch a new electric hatchback called Great Seagull before the end of 2026. It will be a larger version of the current Seagull, known outside China as the Dolphin Mini or Dolphin Surf. The new model will sit between the Seagull and Dolphin in terms of size, with noticeable increases in dimensions and power.
A New Name and a Model Positioned Between Two Cars
Zhou, BYD’s sales official for its Ocean series, revealed the Great Seagull name during the Chengdu Auto Show, confirming that the car will go on sale by the end of 2026. The company had hinted at an updated version of the Seagull last month, without releasing technical details at the time.
The current Seagull holds an important position in the electric-vehicle market. It ranked sixth among the world’s best-selling electric cars during the first half of 2026, with more than 27,500 units, according to data compiled by Cleantechnica. In China, its price starts at 69,900 yuan, or about $10,000.
Larger Dimensions and a More Powerful Motor
Data on new-energy vehicle models approved by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) shows that the Great Seagull is 4,205 millimeters long, 1,810 millimeters wide, and 1,570 millimeters high, with a 2,650-millimeter wheelbase. By comparison, the current Seagull is only 3,780 millimeters long.
The car will also use a 95-kilowatt electric motor, or 127 horsepower, compared with 55 kilowatts, or 75 horsepower, in the current model. This increase indicates that the new car is not only intended to provide more space, but also targets higher performance than the smaller model.
What Do We Know About the Battery and Equipment?
BYD has not yet announced the Great Seagull’s battery capacity or official price. The source says the car is expected to use a Blade Battery 2.0 and Flash Charging technology, but the company has not confirmed this point in the details available.
Initial images show a LiDAR sensor on the roof, which may indicate that the car will be equipped with more advanced safety and driver-assistance systems. However, no official list of the functions supported by this sensor is available so far.
For comparison, the 2026 Seagull is available with two batteries rated at 30.08 and 38.88 kilowatt-hours, with a claimed CLTC range of up to 305 and 405 kilometers, respectively. It is not known whether the Great Seagull will use similar options or a different battery pack.
What Changes in Practical Terms?
The Great Seagull offers a middle path in BYD’s lineup: a car that is smaller and less expensive than the Dolphin, but larger and more powerful than the economical Seagull. Its price will likely be slightly higher than that of the current Seagull, although BYD has not disclosed a final figure.
Spy images of the uncamouflaged car show a front end with slim LED headlights, a closed grille, and sharp design lines. The cabin also includes a larger central infotainment screen, a redesigned center console to provide additional space, and a new two-spoke steering wheel. The name fits BYD’s new naming pattern, which includes Great Tang and Great Han.