In May, a new small hatchback BYD model in the right-hand-drive configuration was spotted parked at a testing facility. Then the same model was seen in a video last month, which showcased the company’s smallest development EV undertaking more testing.
Now, fresh photos of the model have emerged, showing the size of the vehicle along with the expected specs of this model.
From a post on X, Thinkercar shared photos of a parked, covered black prototype model undergoing testing.
Like the previous sightings, this model is also in the right-hand-drive configuration, which hints at its potential destined markets of Japan, Southeast Asia, the UK and other countries.
In this photo, it appears to be quite narrow when parked in a regular space, sandwiched between a van and a ute.
The rear, like the last sightings, is fairly flat, but this time around, a single wiper is also spotted.
A photo also reveals the interior, which has a BYD steering wheel and a screen behind it. There is also a larger screen in the centre, like most of the other models in the company’s EV lineup.
The window also features a small BYD logo, highlighting the company’s capabilities in vertical integration.
The latest report also estimates the battery capacity, expected range, equipment, as well as fast charging speeds.
On the battery pack front, this model is likely to feature a 20 kWh BYD blade battery pack, delivering up to 180 km of WLTP range. This pack will be able to be charged at DC speeds of up to 100 kW.
For comparison, the current BYD Seagull features a 30 kWh pack in the lower-end variants, which delivers up to 220 km of WLTP range with fast charging speeds of up to 65 kW.
Pricing of this model is expected to be in $A25,000-30,000 range when it makes it onto the market next year.
A likely launch date for the Japanese market is in the second half of 2026, but we expect it to be sooner than that, with more prototypes being spotted on almost a monthly basis now.
With so many models from the world’s leading NEV brand being released this year along with those currently under development, it’s clear that BYD is aiming for an explosion in its international market sales in the coming years.
We will keep an eye out for any further developments on this and other smaller hatchback models in the works, as some may even be eventually destined for our RHD Australia and New Zealand markets.
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.