With a 62L OTR in KA as of April 2024, it can blow most ‘sportscars’ away if driven aggressively.
BHPian itwasntme recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
Briefly test drove the SEAL AWD top end variant (Shark Grey colour) a couple of days back. My thoughts:
Exteriors:
- Very novel looks for India at least with a heady mix of the Taycan and the Tesla family look. Turned heads consistently wherever I drove it.
- Swoopy front end is particularly eye-catching, although will need PPF from day one given the risk of chipping
- Sides are sporty and the rocker panel black accent was pleasing or revolting depending on various members of my family
- Back end is good except for those pencil-thin brake lights. TD was carried out in blazing 38C afternoon hence did not get the chance to assess the exterior lighting.
Interiors:
- Cossetting in a sportscar way but not opulent in the true Euro manner.
- Materials used looked high end and fit and finish also up there with overall expectations.
- Seats are quite bolstered hence larger body frames may feel uncomfortable.
- Humungous but sharp MFD screen which more or less controls everything. I am completely unused to such gadgetry and I refuse to comment on it.
- Slightly cheesy joystick type electronic shifter – not a fan as such.
- Rear seats low to sit in but comfortable again for a slimmer body. Rear headroom looked low but once you sit, it’s fine. Getting in can be a chore for taller people due to the swoopy roofline. Expect a lot of muttered abuse and vigorous head rubbing from rear pax as they get in.
- Noted that the pano glass roof was covered by a ‘laser-cut’ type of griege/beige shade which the SA mentioned was being provided FoC by BYD. It seemed to be held up with small clamps and/or velcro; unfortunately did not spend much time on it.
- Frankly, the AC was working fine and soundlessly, and hence did not prioritize given that I was much more keen to get out of the sun and drive it!
Driving:
- Drove it for a ~8 km round trip which mirrored my usual TD route + my usual 330i route to the local supermarket. I know more or less every dip, crest and rough patch on it, and hence could benchmark the Seal well.
- Eerily quiet (first time I drove an EV!) and insanely but linearly quick. This was the 523 bhp AWD and drove surefootedly with zero drama at pretty high speeds on both twisty badly cambered state highway as well as on village roads. However, the feeling is a bit wooden, and could be due to the very stiff chassis + fat EV tyres + the lack of any ICE sounds.
- Straight line acceleration was scary quick accentuated by the fact that there were no ‘burps, farts or growls’ as my son puts it, which he is vey much used to from my MPE-equipped 330i.
- Suspension felt a great deal more stiffer than my (already stiffish) 330i and this was with 4 on board. Could be an issue for rear seat pax on outstation trips, especially on the last mile sections. GC was not an issue on medium speed breakers, although I suspect the usual crabbing will be required on the sharp unscientific ones.
In summary, the driving experience was enjoyable but a little soulless.
Overall: An interesting buy I feel for:
- Those getting onto the performance sedan scene for the first time.
- Those who already own multiple quick vehicles and looking for a novelty.
- Those just bored with their already-quick ICE car and wants to try something new.
- Those interested in leasing benefits if they can get much more preferential EV rates.
- Those constrained by idiotic company car lease restrictions. Increasingly enough, top Western employers are dictating the power celling for company leased cars but are more lenient towards powerful EVs.
Would I buy one?
No, already have one of the last great ‘daily driver’ ICE engines, transmission and chassis combos in the shape of the SWB 330i. I’ll hang onto mine for the next few years, and decide again when Tesla or Lucid or even the Neue Klasse 3/5 come on the scene.
Also feel that the recent EV policy will thoroughly churn premium EV pricing and hence best to wait till things are clear. Having said that, with a 62L OTR in KA as of April 2024 it can blow most ‘sportscars’ away if driven aggressively.
Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.
