2027 BYD Seagull Changes Everything With Rear-Wheel Drive

The second-generation BYD Seagull is shaping up to be much more than a simple redesign. The latest look at the small electric hatchback in China reveals major mechanical changes that could completely alter how the Seagull drives and how practical it is to own.

The biggest surprise is the switch from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive. The original BYD Seagull uses a 55 kilowatt electric motor mounted at the front, but the new generation moves its electric drive unit to the rear axle. This is a significant engineering change for a small and affordable electric vehicle, especially in a segment where keeping production costs low is extremely important.

According to information reported by Autohome and regulatory data filed with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the new electric motor carries the model designation TZ164XYB and is manufactured by Zhengzhou BYD Auto Company Limited. Output rises substantially to 95 kilowatts, which is equivalent to approximately 127 horsepower.

That is a major increase over the previous 55 kilowatt setup. The additional power also helps raise the listed maximum speed to 150 kilometers per hour. While the Seagull is still designed primarily as an affordable city-focused electric car, the extra performance should make highway driving and passing considerably easier.

Moving the motor to the back also creates an unexpected practical benefit. With the front drive unit gone, BYD has been able to create storage beneath the hood. That means the second-generation Seagull gets a front trunk, something that is still relatively unusual among affordable electric vehicles priced below 100,000 yuan in China. BYD has not announced the official capacity of this storage area, but even a modest front trunk could be useful for charging cables, small bags, or items owners want to keep separate from the main cargo compartment.

The chassis receives another important upgrade. Instead of the torsion beam rear suspension used by the previous Seagull, the second-generation model adopts an independent multi-link rear suspension. This more sophisticated arrangement has the potential to improve ride comfort, stability, and wheel control, although its real-world benefits will ultimately depend on how BYD tunes the suspension.

The tires are getting considerably wider as well. The new model has been shown with 205/60 R16 tires mounted on 16-inch dual four-spoke alloy wheels. The outgoing Seagull uses much narrower 165 millimeter and 175 millimeter tires depending on specification. The larger footprint gives the new car a noticeably more substantial stance.

The exterior has also matured. Semi-hidden mechanical door handles replace the fully flush pop-out style, while the rear receives split taillights, a prominent roof spoiler, and a lower diffuser integrated into the bumper. The overall shape remains compact, but the new Seagull appears more substantial and sophisticated than the car it replaces.

Technology is moving forward at the same time. Engineering vehicles have been spotted with an optional roof-mounted Light Detection and Ranging sensor. This hardware is expected to support BYD’s DiPilot 300, also known as God’s Eye B, Level 2 driver-assistance system. For a relatively inexpensive electric hatchback, the availability of this technology could become another important selling point.

The cabin also receives a major rethink. Earlier design information indicates that the conventional instrument cluster is being removed. Instead, the driver faces a newly shaped flat-bottom 2-spoke multifunction steering wheel, while a floating touchscreen takes center stage on the dashboard.

BYD has not abandoned physical controls entirely. Toggle-style switches remain positioned beneath the air vents, while the center console incorporates a wireless smartphone charging area and 2 cupholders arranged vertically. It is a cleaner layout without forcing every function onto the touchscreen.

There is also growing interest around the battery and charging system. Spy photographs taken during what appeared to be a promotional photoshoot have led to speculation that higher-specification versions could receive BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery technology and Flash Charging capability. However, BYD has not officially confirmed charging speeds, battery specifications, or charging times, so those details remain unconfirmed.

One of the new Seagull’s most obvious competitors is the Geely EX2, known as the Xingyuan in China. The similarities between the 2 vehicles are becoming particularly interesting. Both use rear-wheel drive, independent rear suspension, a front trunk, and a 2,650 millimeter wheelbase.

The new Seagull measures 4,205 millimeters long, making it approximately 70 millimeters longer than the Geely. That additional length, combined with the new drivetrain layout and revised chassis, suggests BYD is moving the Seagull slightly upmarket without abandoning its compact-car roots.

Competition in this part of China’s electric vehicle market is becoming intense. In August, the outgoing Seagull recorded 10,103 domestic retail registrations, while the Geely Xingyuan recorded 39,651 retail registrations and 60,955 wholesale deliveries according to China EV DataTracker.

Those numbers help explain why BYD appears to have taken such a comprehensive approach to the redesign. Instead of simply updating the lights, bumpers, and interior technology, the company has changed the drivetrain layout, suspension, motor output, storage configuration, and driver-assistance hardware.

Official pricing and launch timing have not yet been announced. If BYD can keep the Seagull affordable while delivering 127 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, independent rear suspension, a front trunk, and more advanced technology, the second generation could represent one of the biggest transformations yet for BYD’s smallest electric cars.