BYD Teases Next-Gen Seal 08 and Sealion 08 Ahead of 2026 Launch
BYD is quietly preparing its next major move in the global EV market. The company has confirmed early details of two new flagship Ocean-series models — the Seal 08 electric sedan and the Sealion 08 electric SUV, both scheduled for a full global unveiling in Q1 2026.
Positioned above today’s Seal and Sealion models, the new 08-series vehicles will showcase BYD’s next-generation technology, design language, and premium positioning. They are the first step in a broader expansion, with Seal 09 and Sealion 09 models already planned to follow.
Key Highlights
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BYD confirms Seal 08 sedan and Sealion 08 SUV for early 2026
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Both sit at the top of the Ocean lineup
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Based on the Ocean S concept revealed in Shanghai
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Sealion 08 is expected to feature a seven-seat family layout
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More premium, larger, and more advanced than current Ocean models
A New Design Chapter: Ocean Aesthetic 2.0
Both models are heavily inspired by the Ocean S concept, unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show earlier this year.
The concept introduced Ocean Aesthetic 2.0, BYD’s evolved design language featuring:
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Cleaner body surfacing
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Sharper, more technical lighting signatures
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A more upmarket and substantial visual presence
This shift reflects the rapid growth of the Ocean series since its debut in late 2021 — and BYD’s need to clearly separate mass-market bestsellers from premium flagships.
BYD Seal 08: What We Know So Far
The Seal 08 name has surfaced before. Earlier in 2025, BYD filed Chinese regulatory documents for a vehicle initially referred to as Seal 08, which ultimately launched as the Seal 06 EV. The upcoming Seal 08, however, is expected to move significantly further upmarket.
Compared with the Seal 06, the Seal 08 is widely expected to offer:
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More powerful drivetrains
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Higher-grade interior materials
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Advanced hardware and software
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A stronger premium identity
Expected BYD Seal 08 Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Body style | Mid-size electric sedan |
| Design basis | Ocean S concept |
| Length | ~4720 mm |
| Width | ~1880 mm |
| Height | ~1495 mm |
| Wheelbase | ~2820 mm |
| Battery | LFP Blade battery |
| Market position | Premium Ocean sedan |
| Debut | Q1 2026 |
BYD Sealion 08: A Flagship Family SUV
The Sealion 08 is shaping up to be the most ambitious Ocean SUV to date. Industry sources suggest dimensions of approximately 5040 mm in length, with a wheelbase of around 2950 mm, positioning it firmly in the large SUV segment.
Unlike today’s five-seat Sealion models, the Sealion 08 is expected to adopt a 2+3+2 seven-seat layout, directly targeting families who want space, comfort, and electric efficiency in one package.
The Sealion 08 will likely sit above the Sealion 6 and Sealion 7, acting as the Ocean range’s flagship SUV with:
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Higher-output powertrains
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Longer driving range
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A more premium interior and technology suite
Expected BYD Sealion 08 Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Body style | Large electric SUV |
| Seating | 2+3+2 seven seats |
| Design basis | Ocean S concept |
| Length | ~5040 mm |
| Wheelbase | ~2950 mm |
| Battery | BYD Blade battery |
| Market position | Flagship Ocean SUV |
| Debut | Q1 2026 |
Ocean Series Momentum: Six Million and Counting
BYD’s confidence in expanding the Ocean lineup is backed by exceptional global sales performance. Since the series launched in November 2021, Ocean-branded vehicles have surpassed six million units sold worldwide.
Several models have individually crossed the one-million-sales milestone, including:
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Song Plus
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Seagull
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Dolphin
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Seal
This makes the Ocean range one of the most successful EV families globally, and the Seal 08 and Sealion 08 represent its next evolution toward larger, more premium, and more technologically advanced vehicles.
What This Means for Global and Australian Buyers
While the Seal 08 and Sealion 08 may still be some distance away from markets like Australia, their confirmation clearly signals BYD’s direction:
bigger, more refined, and more premium electric vehicles designed to compete head-on with established global players.
With its Ocean range moving upmarket, BYD is no longer just chasing value — it is positioning itself as a full-spectrum global EV powerhouse.