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Future models - BYD - Ocean MBYD Ocean-M hot hatch unveiled in BeijingChinese-made all-electric BYD Ocean-M set to take on MG 4 XPower and Cupra Born VZ6 May 2024 CHINESE auto and battery manufacturing juggernaut BYD used the recent Beijing Auto Show to out a new rear-wheel drive electric hot hatch concept called the Ocean-M that formed part of a 24-model product avalanche for BYD during Auto China 2024.
Few details about the chunky-looking model – due to go into production later this year – were available, suffice to say BYD would be looking to siphon some of MG’s thunder with a sporty hatchback of its own presumably delivering similar performance potential as the MG 4 XPower that sells here for $59,990 drive-away.
In contrast to the RWD Ocean-M, the XPower is a dual motor AWD hot hatch with 320kW and 600Nm capable of clocking a 0-100km/h sprint in 3.8 seconds, stats that BYD would no doubt want to emulate with its offering.
The model has not been confirmed for local consumption but Australian BYD distributor EVDirect has an ambitious expansion program that likely includes the Ocean-M, which will find competition from other performance-oriented electric hatchbacks including Cupra’s confirmed-for-Australia Born VZ and VW’s incoming ID.3 GTX.
Mooted Chinese market pricing for the Ocean-M puts it at the equivalent of $A42,000, which extrapolated to the Australian market could put it closer to $55,000 and undercut the tech-heavy MG 4 XPower by a few grand.
The Ocean-M is understood to ride on a new platform that uses the latest Blade 2 battery technology BYD announced earlier this year, which may help put it on a level playing field performance-wise with the sporty MG.
Known as ‘blades’ the tightly packed battery cells are integrated into the vehicle’s structure to help reduce weight while improving packaging and driving dynamics well as a physically smaller battery for similar range or, on the other side of the coin, an extended range for the same size of battery.
As a bonus, Blade 2 technology is said to give up to 1000km of range between charges, with energy density 25 per cent better than BYD’s first-generation Blade batteries currently in the Seal, Dolphin and Atto 3 cars sold in Australia.
Speculation as to the Ocean-M’s powertrain is rife but you BYD’s Seal RWD long range single motor variant runs a 230kW electric traction motor that could reappear in the Ocean-M.
Due to substantially less weight in the smaller-bodied, single-motor Ocean M, a powertrain upgrade may be unnecessary as it could achieve close to BYD’s hot hatch performance targets without the additional mass and energy drain of a dual motor layout.
Then there is the driving appeal of a rear wheel drive over front or all-wheel drive, with attendant sportier driver engagement benefits.
In styling terms, the Ocean-M is a textbook hot hatch rocking a low stance, big wide wheels and low-profile tyres, dual rear high-mounted wings, rear aero diffuser and other hot hatch exterior accoutrements.
The muscled-up concept car featured cameras replacing exterior rear-view mirrors as well as flush door handles however interior details remain secret but are expected to follow current BYD form and function.
Word from Auto China suggests BYD is targeting the European market with Ocean-M as it is the perceived home of the hot hatch, having given the world the VW Golf GTI, Peugeot 205 GTI and various Renaultsport models. The Ocean M fits between BYD’s tiddler-size Dolphin hatch and the medium-size Seal sedan.
BYD says production of the Blade 2 batteries is expected to commence this August with production of the Ocean M following soon after – ahead of schedule considering competition and complications in the European market.
For reference, BYD last year was China’s number one for BEV sales clicking over 2.77 million units while at the same time occupying the number two battery supplier position behind CATL.
And it has a BEV dual cab ute in the pipeline called the Shark due for production soon.  Read more24th of April 2024  $6K price cut for BYD Atto 3 electric SUVGloves come off in Chinese BEV price war as BYD slashed $6000 from the list price of its Atto 310th of April 2024  BYD to offer 1000km EV driving rangeNew battery technology set to significantly bolster driving range of BYD electric vehicles29th of February 2024  BYD Seal U DM-i a plug-in RAV4 rivalChinese manufacturer BYD showcases its all-new Seal U DM-i SUV in Geneva7th of February 2024  BYD earnings fall as EV demand slowsDespite strong sales Down Under, BYD is falling well short of estimates on the global stageAll future models Alfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chery Brabham Chrysler Chevrolet Cupra Citroen DS Dodge Fiat Ferrari Foton Ford Great Wall FPV Haval GWM Honda Holden Hummer HSV Infiniti Hyundai Jaguar Isuzu Kia Jeep Land Rover Lamborghini Lexus LDV Mahindra Lotus Mazda Maserati Mercedes-AMG McLaren MG Mercedes-Benz Mitsubishi Mini Opel Nissan Peugeot Pagani Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo VolkswagenMotor industry news GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events. |
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