Image: Thinkercar
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.
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The micro car segment in Australia is 6000 cars a year, dominated by the Picanto.
The Picanto is also our cheapest car.
The same reason that their low price is not a reason to buy these cars, micro EVs won't be any more popular.
With EV sales hitting 10%, that's 600 cars annually, potentially, that these micro EVs are fighting for.
50 cars a month is not a market car companies will be falling over themselves to get into.
Yeah it's a Kei Car, it's not intended for here. In Tokyo it'll do just fine.
Frankly, I wish there were more little cars like this in our urban environments, where they're ideal for everyday getting around and commuting. I'm fed up trying to squeeze into parking spots half occupied by huge gas-guzzlers that overflow them. Also sharing narrow urban roads with large SUVs and 2-cabin utes can be a really risky exercise if one vehicle's driver forces the issue.
The perfect car for the supermarket parking space left over by the 'trucks'
It would have enough range for Singapore.
and for most city commutes - especially if it could be plugged in at work (which will surely come to be).
1.6M width and probably not likely to get ADR approved..
Because?
Crash survivability, insurance issues, liability issues, minimal demand....all making them unlikely I suspect.
BYD Europe Head Office being in Hungary IS a news story.
Bring back an updated Mitsubishi iMiEV. A much better and more aerodynamic looking kei car.
Looks just like the myriad of Japanese Kei cars.
Unfortunately for Australia, they likely won't pass ADR tests.
Much like the Nissan Sakura which Goodcar.co were planning to import en-masse to keep their JDM EV business model going - only to be shot down at the last hurdle when it was blocked from being driven here.
What exactly in ADR rules out these cars? I'm not sure I want to go that small but I'm in favour of smaller lighter cars that meet most needs.