THE latest pure-electric SUV from Chinese manufacturer BYD, the Sealion 7, will cost from £44,990 when it goes on sale early next year.

It's the seventh pure-electric BYD model in Europe and the fourth in what the company calls its' Ocean Series following the Dolphin, Seal, and Seal U,

Available in three versions - Comfort, Design and Excellence - with either two or four-wheel-drive it has a WLTP range of up to 312 miles, a top speed of 113 mph with the rear-wheel drive Comfort model accelerating from 0-62 mph in 6.7 seconds while the twin-motor all-wheel drive version, which is available in two trim levels, covers the benchmark sprint in 4.5 seconds..

While it may be named the Sealion 7, the newcomer is a regulation five-seater and comes with premium comfort features as standard including an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, double-layered laminated glass for noise reduction and a large panoramic sunroof with a sunshade.

There's a plethora of tech too, including a 15.6-inch rotatable touchscreen with 3D imagery and interactive controls and a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel.

The flagship Excellence AWD model, priced at £57,290, also includes a Head-Up Display and a voice control system which enables front and rear passengers to interact with the infotainment and climate systems through voice commands.

A wide range of driver-assistance and safety features also come as standard including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, front and rear cross traffic alert and cross traffic braking, 360-degree cameras, and blind-spot detection. An intelligent speed limit and traffic-sign recognition system further enhances driving safety.

First deliveries are expected in the first quarter of 2025.