BYD Teases Next-Gen Seal 08 and Sealion 08 Ahead of 2026 Launch

BYD is quietly setting the stage for its next big electric push, and the Ocean range is about to get a lot more ambitious. The Chinese EV giant has confirmed early details of two new flagship models, the Seal 08 sedan and the Sealion 08 SUV, both positioned at the premium end of its rapidly expanding Ocean lineup.

The pair were teased on December 15 and are locked in for a full unveiling in the first quarter of 2026. They will sit above today’s Seal and Sealion models and showcase the latest generation of BYD technology, design and packaging. More models are already on the roadmap, with Seal 09 and Sealion 09 planned to follow, creating a neatly tiered family aimed at higher-end buyers.

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A new design chapter for BYD’s Ocean range

Both the Seal 08 and Sealion 08 draw their styling and proportions from the Ocean S concept car, first revealed at the Shanghai Auto Show earlier this year. This concept introduced BYD’s Ocean Aesthetic 2.0 design language, which leans into smoother surfaces, sharper lighting signatures and a more upmarket presence compared with earlier Ocean models.

BYD has already hinted that these new flagships will feel more substantial and more refined than anything that currently wears a Seal badge. That makes sense, given the Ocean series has grown at remarkable speed since launching in late 2021 and now needs products that sit clearly above the brand’s mass-market favourites.

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Seal 08 sedan, what we know so far

The Seal 08 name is not entirely new. BYD previously filed regulatory documents in China for a sedan called Seal 08 earlier this year, although that vehicle ultimately launched as the Seal 06 EV in mid 2025. The upcoming Seal 08 is expected to move further up the ladder, offering stronger performance, more advanced hardware and a more premium feel.

For context, the Seal 06 EV set a baseline for the Ocean sedan range with solid dimensions and competitive efficiency. The Seal 08 is widely expected to build on that foundation with noticeably upgraded specifications.

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BYD Seal 08, expected specifications

Sealion 08 SUV targets the large family segment

The Sealion 08 is shaping up to be a very different proposition. Industry reports suggest it will stretch to around 5040 mm in length with a wheelbase close to 2950 mm, putting it firmly into large SUV territory.

Unlike the five-seat Sealion models sold today, the Sealion 08 is expected to adopt a 2+3+2 seven-seat layout, signalling a clear move toward family-focused buyers who need space without stepping outside the EV ecosystem.

While technical details remain under wraps, the Sealion 08 will likely serve as the Ocean series’ flagship SUV, sitting above the Sealion 6 and Sealion 7 and offering higher output powertrains, longer range and a more premium interior.

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BYD Sealion 08, expected specifications

Ocean series momentum keeps building

BYD’s confidence in expanding the Ocean lineup is backed by serious sales momentum. Since the series was established in November 2021, Ocean-branded vehicles have collectively passed six million units in global sales.

Models such as the Song Plus, Seagull, Dolphin and Seal have each crossed the one million sales mark individually, turning the Ocean range into one of the most successful EV families in the world.

For Australian buyers, the Seal 08 and Sealion 08 may still be some distance away, but their reveal signals where BYD is heading next. Bigger, more premium and more technologically advanced Ocean models are coming, and they are clearly designed to take the fight to established players in the global electric market when they arrive.