Automotive

BYD Sealion 5 DM-i launches in the Philippines

Versatile electrified sub-compact SUV offers range, efficiency, power

Published

on

The BYD Sealion 5 DM-i is now available in the Philippines. BYD Cars Philippines officially unveiled the electrified sub-compact SUV in an event Friday at Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila.

Part of the ever-expanding Ocean series, the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i combines efficiency, power, and smart features. It delivers electrified performance powered by BYD Super DM-i technology, and all-around practicality.

The electric-first powertrain seamless combines electrified propulsion with a high-efficiency generator for long-distance driving. It has a combined output of 197 PS and 300 Nm of torque, and can accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in 8.3 seconds.

Drivers can select from Economy, Normal, and Sport modes. The Sealion 5 DM-i also has a driving range of over 1,000 kilometers. On its own, the 12.96 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate Blade Battery is rated for up to 71 kilometers of pure electric driving.

The BYD DM-i system supports up to 3.3 kW of AC charging, allowing the Blade Battery to reach a full charge in approximately 4.5 hours.

For added versatility, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) enables the vehicle to power external devices and appliances, in case the need for owners to do so arise.

More features inside and out

The BYD Sealion 5 DM-i also delivers an innovative blend of style, practicality, and tech.

Design wise, it features clean lines, full LED lighting, and 18-inch alloy wheels, along with heated, power-adjustable mirrors, integrated puddle lamps, and stylish roof rails.

Inside the cabin are premium, soft-to-touch materials combined with intuitive design elements.

There are leather seats, dual-zone climate control, and a 10.1-inch rotating touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Sealion 5 DM-i also supports NFC card smart entry, push-start ignition, multiple BYD ports, and BYD Cloud Service. Owners can even remotely control the vehicle’s features with the BYD app.

More confidence with every drive

The Sealion 5 DM-i is equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety systems. These include:

  • cruise control
  • rear camera with radar sensors
  • Electronic Stability Control
  • Traction Control
  • Hill Hold and Hill Descent
  • real-time Tire Pressure Monitoring System
  • six airbags
  • ISOFIX child seat anchors
  • ABS, EBD, and anti-rollover protection

Price, availability, offers

Customers can now get the offering for PhP 1,248,000 at BYD dealerships nationwide. But as a launch offer, the introductory price is only PhP 1,198,000.

The vehicle can also be secured for just a PhP 88,000 down payment through BYD’s banking partners.

Customers can choose from Arctic White, Harbour Grey, Cosmos Black, and Deep Sea Blue colorways.

BYD mentioned that owners can get potential savings of 20 to 40 percent on fuel and maintenance. The Sealion 5 DM-i only requires one Preventive Maintenance Service a year.

Moreover, the company’s comprehensive warranty coverage includes:

  • 8 years or 160,000 kilometers for the Blade Battery
  • 8 years or 150,000 kilometers for the electric motor and control systems
  • 6 years or 150,000 kilometers for the new vehicle warranty

Automotive

VinFast extends free unlimited charging in 3 markets amid rising fuel prices

Customers in India, Indonesia, and the Philippines to enjoy 3 years of free unlimited charging

Published

on

VinFast has announced the extension of its free unlimited charging program in three key Asian markets: India, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Customers purchasing electric vehicles (EVs) in these countries (or currently own a VinFast EV) can enjoy the zero-fuel-cost advantage for three years, or until March 31, 2029.

This is amid the rising fuel costs in these countries, primarily due to the U.S./Israel-Iran war. Under the new policy, customers can charge for free at authorized V-Green charging stations.

By removing one of the largest operating costs of driving, VinFast aims to help motorists experience the economic advantages of electric vehicles (EVs) while supporting the countries’ transitions toward more sustainable mobility.

The program will be extended broadly to all customers, including both existing owners and future buyers. It will cover both private customers as well as those using their vehicles for transportation services, like the Green GSM EV taxi service network.

Alongside the free charging policy, the charging network developed and operated by V-Green is continuously expanding across the markets where VinFast operates.

This expansion helps create favorable conditions for consumers to confidently transition to greener and more sustainable transportation.

In addition to the free charging incentive, VinFast is already implementing multiple policies to promote the green transition in key Asian markets.

These include a battery subscription program that lowers upfront investment cost, a resale value guarantee policy, flexible payment options, and market-leading warranty coverage.

Continue Reading

Automotive

BYD is reportedly considering an F1 team

There is no decision yet.

Published

on

BYD is lighting up the electric vehicle segment. For a while now, the Chinese automotive brand has been offering affordable alternatives to the so-called giants of the market, in turn becoming a giant itself. The company has since entered other segments, including the luxury market, through its sub-brands Denza and Yangwang. Now, it’s reportedly considering an all-new venture: the world of Formula One.

The new Formula One season saw the debuts of Audi and Cadillac to the racing grid, proving that the sport isn’t averse to expanding beyond the usual ten teams. Naturally, entering the sport is not an easy process, but for the right brand, it could be a very lucrative opportunity.

According to a source from Bloomberg, BYD is currently evaluating an entry into Formula 1. Right now, the Chinese company has not made a decision, but it is an idea floating around.

Besides the rigorous entry process, owning an independent racing team can cost BYD hundreds of millions of dollars per year. It’s not a cheap sport.

That said, there are other ways for the brand to enter the grid. One of the more cost-effective options is to become a title sponsor of an existing team by providing funding and technical expertise without the stress of managing a team directly.

Alternatively, the brand can also skip the red tape by buying an existing team. Audi, for example, entered the current grid by buying the team from Sauber. Of the current grid, Alpine is reportedly considering putting the team up for sale, making it a potential target for newcomers.

Outside of F1, BYD might also have an easier time entering other competitions including the FIA World Endurance Championship.

SEE ALSO: This BYD car is now the world’s fastest car in the market

Continue Reading

Automotive

Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo makes global debut at MWC 2026

Tech giant becomes first technology brand in Vision GT program

Published

on

Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo

Xiaomi has unveiled the full-scale concept model of the Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo or Xiaomi Vision GT at MWC 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. This marks the company’s official entry into the elite Vision Gran Turismo project.

Created for the legendary Gran Turismo franchise, the electric hypercar concept represents the first time a technology company has been invited to participate in the Vision GT program. Xiaomi now joins a select group of global automakers, becoming the 36th brand to take part and the creator of the 51st Vision Gran Turismo concept overall.

The project began at the GT World Series in London, where series producer Kazunori Yamauchi personally invited Xiaomi to design its own Vision GT car. For Xiaomi’s global EV design team, the opportunity meant rethinking hypercar development from a technology-first perspective, blending advanced aerodynamics with AI-driven intelligence.

Sculpted by the wind

At the core of Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo is aerodynamic balance. Instead of chasing extreme low drag or maximum downforce alone, Xiaomi pursued efficiency between the two.

The concept follows a “Sculpted by the Wind” philosophy. Its teardrop cockpit silhouette, integrated air ducts, and airfoil-shaped structural elements guide airflow seamlessly from front to rear. The body avoids excessive add-ons, relying instead on built-in aerodynamic solutions.

Signature design elements serve dual purposes. Cross-shaped headlights integrate into the airflow system, while the halo-shaped taillight sits within a massive rear air outlet. An Active Wake Control System surrounds the rear with micro-perforations that manage turbulent air using real-time speed and angle data.

The Accretion Rims feature vortex-style wheel covers that remain visually stationary while the car is in motion, reducing drag from rotating surfaces. Internal turbine fins help cool the brakes during operation.

Through iterative simulation testing, Xiaomi says the concept achieves a drag coefficient of 0.29, downforce of negative 1.2, and an aerodynamic efficiency rating of 4.1 — figures that highlight balance rather than extremes.

A “sofa racer” interior

Inside, Xiaomi departs from the rigid, track-focused cabins typical of hypercars. The “Sofa Racer” concept emphasizes comfort without sacrificing control.

A ring-shaped cockpit architecture wraps around the driver, blending dashboard, doors, and seats into one continuous structure. Breathable 3D-knitted fabric materials aim to provide both support and warmth.

At the center is Xiaomi Pulse, an intelligent assistant integrated into the dashboard. Working alongside Xiaomi HyperVision and the company’s HyperOS platform, the system adapts displays and interactions based on driving mode and environmental data. Physical controls remain tactile and precise, including an infinite-shaped steer-by-wire wheel.

The concept also integrates into Xiaomi’s broader “Human × Car × Home” ecosystem. Powered by XiaoAi AI Assistant and the Xiaomi MiMo foundational model, the car connects with personal devices and smart home products, positioning itself as part of a unified digital lifestyle.

Xiaomi has also envisioned a companion driving simulator designed as furniture for the home, extending the Vision Gran Turismo experience beyond the vehicle itself.

Yamauchi praised the project, noting how the design successfully resolves the tension between low drag and high downforce. Further details about the car’s arrival in Gran Turismo 7 will be announced at a later date.

With its Vision Gran Turismo debut, Xiaomi signals a broader ambition: redefining the electric hypercar through AI integration, ecosystem connectivity, and aerodynamic precision.

Continue Reading

Trending