BYD, the world's leading manufacturer of electric vehicles, has announced UK pricing for the Seal U DM-i - its first plug-in hybrid.

Two versions will be available either in all-wheel or front-wheel drive with prices starting from £33,205 for a Boost model and £39,905 for the Design 4x4.

The Seal U DM-i is fitted with BYD's Super DM (Dual Mode) Technology which prioritises electric power with minimal reliance on fuel.

It comprises a 1.5-litre hybrid powertrain which can switch automatically between fully electric and hybrid motoring and the engine charges the battery so electric driving is always available, with battery charge further assisted by regenerative technology.

The front-wheel drive Seal U develops 215bhp and has a purely electric range of up to 50 miles while the AWD car - which has two electric motors - has 319bhp on tap and an EV range of 43 miles.

The Chinese manufacturer says the BYD Seal DM-i Boost has a total range of 671 miles when fully charged and fuelled. With the ability to be recharged from AC and DC outlets it can be topped up from 30 to 80 per cent capacity in 35 minutes.

Official fuel economy is 47.1mpg for the Boost model and 39.2 for the Design with respective emissions of 20 and 26g/km.

Like the Seal EV - one of three models BYD launched in the UK last year - the plug-in has a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard as well as several driver aids including a head-up display, adaptive cruise control and rear cross traffic alerts.

Boot space is 425 litres expanding to 1,440 litres with the rear seats folded.

It also has a vehicle-to-load ability allowing for electrical devices such as laptops to be powered by the car's battery.

The BYD SEAL U DM-i will be offered with a six year/93,750 miles full manufacturer's warranty, eight year/125,000 miles warranty on at least 70 per cent of the battery's original capacity, as well as eight year/93,750 miles warranty on the electric motor as standard.