2026 BYD Sealion 08 flagship SUV leaked ahead of Beijing reveal

BYD’s new range-topping Sealion 08 three-row large SUV has been leaked just hours ahead of its expected world debut at the 2026 Beijing motor show, which opens tomorrow (April 24).

Images of the Sealion 08 – as distinct from the seven-seat Sealion 8 (sans the ‘0’) plug-in hybrid (PHEV) large SUV introduced in Australia in 2025 – were shared by BYD Fans, according to a report from CarNewsChina.

The images show a large SUV which has previously been confirmed via Chinese government filings to be offered in both plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery-electric (EV) forms.

It has not been confirmed for Australian release, either as part of the BYD range or under its premium Denza division, which launched locally late last year.

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The new flagship is expected to measure more than 5000mm long with a wheelbase exceeding 3000mm, placing it close in size to the tri-motor electric BYD N9 which was launched in China in 2024 but is not sold locally.

The N9 measures 5300mm long and features a 2-2-3 seating layout.

For comparison, the seven-seat Sealion 8 currently on sale in Australia measures 5040mm long on a 2950mm wheelbase, making it the largest SUV to wear a BYD badge locally.

The leaked images show BYD’s new flagship SUV will adopt the simplified design language of the Chinese brand’s latest ‘Ocean’ series models – as seen on the recently revealed Sealion 05.

Government certification filings have previously indicated EV variants will employ an 800V electrical architecture and a second-generation BYD Blade battery.

Single- and dual-motor versions are expected, with outputs of up to 480kW enabling a sub-five-second 0-100km/h sprint, along with an estimated driving range of around 400km on a single charge.

Previous reports from CarNewsChina have suggested total range could be as high as 1000km, though this remains unconfirmed.

The Sealion 08 is also expected to feature ‘flash charging’ technology – a feature set to debut in Australia with the Denza Z9 GT electric shooting brake due on sale here later in 2026 – as BYD rolls out its own charging network locally.

This system is claimed to enable a full battery charge in as little as nine minutes.

As the brand’s flagship SUV, the Sealion 08 is likely to feature DiSus-A air suspension and rear-wheel steering, enabling advanced manoeuvrability functions such as ‘crab walk’.

Meantime, a prominent housing above the windscreen visible in the leaked images is expected to contain LiDAR hardware for BYD’s ‘God’s Eye’ advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

The Sealion 08 is set to be revealed at Auto China 2026 in Beijing. Watch this space for more coverage. MORE: Explore the BYD showroom