BYD, the Chinese car maker, may be an unfamiliar name to many. But if the firm has its way it will be more recognisable name than Tesla.

It is growing at scale, with its latest model, the Sealion 7, remarkably, the fourth to be offered the UK ina shade over two years, offering a mixture of cutting edge battery technology and increasing use of AI.

What is clear is that BYD, originally a battery maker, brings real expertise in that field with what it says is the world's fastest mass-production electric motor, capable of reaching 23,000 rpm.

It is the latest in what BYD describe as the Ocean Series, incorporating the Dolphin and Seal, with a maximum range, depending on model of 312 miles and an an extremely rapid 0-62 mph time of just 4.5 seconds.

Not only that, it is a very capable SUV that has the Tesla Model Y firmly in its sights, having recently surpassed it in sales. Whether that is totally down to BYD quality, or the popularity of Tesla's owner remains to be seen.

There are three versions: Comfort, Design and Excellence the latter pair both being all wheel drive while entry level is driven via the rear wheels.

Both AWD versions accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds, compared to the Comfort's 6.7 seconds.

Built on the new Platform 3.0 which is designed exclusively for electric vehicles it features BYD's compact Blade battery that allows for more cells in a slimmer pack using lithium iron phosphate (LFP), said to be more durable than traditional lithium-ion.

The firm says the cell design ensures high stability, even under extreme conditions like overcharging, crushing, or puncturing.

It looks the part all right, It is a handsome-looking SUV, sporty but aerodynamic and featuring ‘floating' LED headlights and to the rear, a full-width light signature all set off nicely by stylish 20-inch alloy wheels.

The spacious interior is a comfortable place to be, offering plenty of light from the full length, colour adjustable, panoramic roof. It seats five in comfort and has an eight-way electric driver's seat and a premium feel to fixtures and fittings. It is dominated by a rotating 15.6 tablet style central screen that controls major functions.

New software delivers better integration of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, allowing direct access to smartphone functions on the 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and head-up display, which shows speed and safety data.

It also features DiPilot driver-assistance features and a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function for powering external devices.

The new voice control system recognises commands from both front and rear passengers, (although some commands it seemed incapable of delivering) and the infotainment includes with a 12-speaker audio system.

On the road, the car performs well, instant acceleration, while occupants enjoy a comfortable quite ride. Handling is pretty good for such a big car, with little evidence of wallow. The test run was not long enough to determine range, however.

Charging just gets easier. The Comfort and Design models can accommodate DC charger speeds of up to 150kW, enabling a 10 to 80 per cent charge in just 32 minutes, while the Excellence supports ultra-rapid charging of up to 230kW, lopping eight minutes the 80 per recharge time despite its larger battery.