Stunning Seal EV makes BYD for UK market stardom

BYD Seal launch drive by Steve Rogers

Wow. No, make that a double wow.

This is the Seal, a stunning showstopper from Chinese electric car builder BYD.

The company is new to Europe and the UK launching Atto 3, a mid sized electric SUV, in March followed by the Dolphin family hatchback, reviewed here last month. With Seal the company has its sights set on the premium market and if this anything to go by then the likes of BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar have a serious new rival to worry about.

We might not have heard about BYD (Build Your Dreams) but it has been building cars for nearly 20 years, using its expertise as a battery maker to produce everything needed for an electric car including semi conductors, the little electronic gizzmo that brought the car industry to a standstill during the Covid outbreak because there were hardly any around.

A fifth of the world’s supply of semi conductors comes from BYD so there will always be plenty on the shelf for their cars.

It has also developed an ingenious battery pack that is part of the car’s construction and contributes to its safety cell. The slimline pack is long, sitting between the axles, and super safe, apparently, because it is composed of cobalt free lithium iron-phosphate which is less likely to catch fire and lasts longer than the lithium-ion batteries used by everyone else.

For all that it is the Seal’s sleek outline that catches the eye and that is thanks to former Alfa Romeo designer Wolfgang Egger.

Like Dolphin the stunning Seal has design elements inspired by the ocean so I would direct you to the front running lights and rolling design of the dashboard to see if it conjures up waves and sea swells. The dashboard did it for me.

The wafer thin battery pack enables the car to sit lower to the ground enhancing its profile but might pose a challenge getting in and out if you are six feet odd and advancing in years. Yet there is no such problem with headroom, back or front, thanks to the low, flat floor. There is plenty of legroom as well.

There is no doubt the Seal’s cabin has an upmarket luxurious look and feel. The leather seats, standard on both models, are superbly cushioned while the cabin trim is undoubtedly premium quality and well thought out.

The bazooka blow has to be the 15.65in central touchpad that has the novelty of rotating from landscape to portrait either by a straightforward voice request, or by pressing a button on the steering wheel.

Let’s get down to the nitty gritty. Is the super looking Seal all style and no substance? Get behind the wheel and the answer is a definite no. My driving partner and I thought we were taking off in the all wheel drive and threw it around a bit on some very wet, challenging Lake District roads. Grip and balance were impressive, even more impressive when we found it was actually the rear wheel drive model.

The all wheel drive, with its four drive modes, was equally impressive and lost none of the comfort in spite of stifferdamping.

The big difference between two and four wheel drive is a huge lump of extra horsepower for the latter. This is the Excellence model and its twin motors dish out a hefty 521bhp throwing you back in the seat as the car hits sixty in under four seconds. Maximum range is 323 miles and 354 miles for the 307bhp rear wheel drive Design which retails at £45,695, £3,000 less than the Excellence.

As with any new company breaking into the market, pricing is ultra competitive as is the specification so you are spoilt for goodies on both models. Safety is also high on the agenda with dozens of driver aids.

As a saloon Seal will not win any awards for boot space but is acceptable, although the aperture is a bit shallow so check before buying bulky items as they might not fit through the gap. There is also a useful 53 litre box under the bonnet.

Seal verdict: Without question my Car of the Year.

Fast facts

Seal Excellence AWD

£48,695

Twin electric motors 521bhp

0-62mph 3.8secs; 112mph

Range 323 miles

Fast 80 per cent charge: 26 mins

Zero emissions. 1st tax £0

Boot: 400 litres

Christmas Festival Group get First Aid training

* Above and below, members of the group are put through their paces by TNR Outdoors.

Last Thursday members of the Christmas Festival Group undertook First Aid training in preparation for next Saturday's event.  

The 12 people who successfully completed the course say they are now much better equipped to provide help and First Aid support if anyone should become injured or unwell during the festival.

Chair of the Christmas Festival Group Austin Cheminais said: "The training was provided free of charge by TNR Outdoors and trainer Tom Robinson did an excellent job in developing the skills and confidence of those who attended. The course was very practical and hands on and the day was both engaging and fun.

"It was a very successful day and I’d like to explore the possibility of organising First Aid training for others who might be interested in becoming Community First Aiders.”

MP praises 'treasure trove' of Llangollen Motor Museum

* Owner Geoff Owen (left) and Simon Baynes MP with a 1926 Vauxhall 14/40 at Llangollen Motor Museum.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes visited Llangollen Motor Museum.

Located in Pentrefelin Works, it houses a large collection of vintage and antique cars and motorcycles as well as numerous items of motoring memorabilia. 

Mr Baynes was provided with a tour by its owner, Geoff Owen, who talked about the vehicles on display and the conservation work of the museum. 

These vehicles included a 1920s Morgan, a 1930s caravan, a 1935 Standard, a BMW Isetta from the 1960s, a 1924 Citroen and a 1926 Vauxhall 14/40.

The museum was established in 1985 by the Broadhurst family at the site of their former sheet metal factory on the outskirts of Llangollen. 

It was then purchased by Gwilym Owen in 1997, before it subsequently passed down to his son and current owner, Geoff. 

In addition to running the museum with his wife Barbara and son Kyle, Geoff also runs a car restoration business.

The museum is open for the first week of every month, with footfall of approximately 4,000 people a year. 

Visitors include car and motorcycle clubs from across the UK, school groups, and tourists. 

More information can be found at: https://www.llangollenmotormuseum.co.uk/

Speaking after the visit, owner of the museum, Geoff Owen, said: “Our classic car museum is not just a collection of vehicles, it's a journey through time that brings back nostalgia and memories. We also inspire and educate children. We look forward to welcoming visitors to Llangollen into the future.”

Mr Baynes said: "I would like to thank Geoff and Barbara for providing me with a wonderful tour of the Llangollen Motor Museum. 

"Their passion and dedication to conserving and showcasing their fine collection of historic vehicles is evident in the numerous vintage and antique cars and motorcycles on display. It is a fantastic treasure-trove and one of Llangollen’s most popular tourist attractions.”

Roadworks alerts for Berwyn Street

 

Latest local roadworks alerts from one.network are:

Berwyn Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 20 November - 21 November   Roadworks, Delays likely   Traffic management: Lane closure   Description: excavate and lay cable for new connection   Works location: outside 6   Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified works to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Scottish Power Renewable Energy.   Responsibility for works: Scottish Power Renewable Energy   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: GY0022101343089A       Berwyn Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 20 November - 21 November   Roadworks, Delays likely   Traffic management: Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Description: EXCAVATE SERVICE BREECH JOINTBAY IN FOOTPATH AND 1/4 M TRACK IN FOOTPATH TO CUSTOMERS WALL   Works location: outside 8   Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified works to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Scottish Power Renewable Energy.   Responsibility for works: Scottish Power Renewable Energy   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: GY0022101343089

Appeal launched to support local families at Christmas

 

The annual Llangollen Christmas Appeal has been launched to support the town's Food Share and local families this festive season.

This is the fourth year of the appeal and organisers say there are more people than ever to support this time.

The aim is to provide gifts for local families as "every child and adult deserves a gift to open at Christmas," they say.

Children's gifts needed are toys, teddies, books and arts and crafts items for both girls and boys aged two to 10 plus gift sets for teenage boys and girls.

Male and female gift sets required include toiletry sets/Lynx sets/socks, hot water bottles, scarves and gloves.

Also needed are chocolate and biscuit treats.

The organisers say: "Anything would be gratefully received and make someone's Christmas. Everyone should get to have a Christmas ."

* Drop-off point is Wingetts office in Castle Street from Monday to Friday and Saturday 10 -12 .

Also being taken are cash donations, so that volunteers can shop for gifts and wrap them.

#llangollenfamily #helpingeachotherthisxmas

Have your say on proposed new National Park for this area

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) are inviting feedback on an initial Area of Search map for a proposed new National Park in North East Wales.

And people in Llangollen, which is included in the plan, will get the chance to have their say, in person, tomorrow (Saturday, November 18) at the Town Hall between 10 and 4pm.

The engagement period will run until Monday November 27.

Welsh Government has commissioned NRW, as the Designating Authority in Wales, to evaluate the case for a new National Park based on the existing Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). 

The case for the park will be considered within the existing Senedd term (2021-2026).

A questionnaire to capture feedback is now live on the project website. This can be accessed at: https://ymgynghori.cyfoethnaturiol.cymru/north-east-gogledd-ddwyrain/national-park-designation-project-engagement-2023

Ash Pearce, Project Manager, said: "We are engaging with local people and groups early in the project to ensure we can capture and understand all the issues and opportunities that relate to the proposed new National Park. 

"We will consider and account for the feedback provided as we work through a series of technical assessments and prepare our informed recommendations.

"There will be a full public consultation on a proposed boundary in 2024. At this stage, we have identified an area to study and want to listen and understand the significant issues, opportunities and themes affecting the area.

"We warmly invite everyone interested in our work, to join us at one of a series of in-person and online engagement events over the next two months. Also most critically, to complete our questionnaire which will ensure that we can capture their feedback.

"The events will be an opportunity to learn more about the project, ask questions of the team and share feedback on an early map of the area being assessed.

"People will only need to attend one event, be that online or in-person as the information shared will be the same for each event."

The Llangollen engagement event is due to take place at the Town Hall on Saturday November 18, from 10am until 4pm.

People are encouraged to drop by at the in-person events, there is no need to book a place. If interested in taking part in one of the online events, email the project team at designated.landscapes.programme@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk with your name, state your interest (e.g. resident, community leader, landowner, farmer, business owner, organisation representative, etc) and which event you are interested in (the date). These will be bilingual events with simultaneous translation provided.

NRW have prepared procedural guidance setting out the statutory process that must be followed. It is evidence based and allows for engagement and consultation with statutory consultees, the public and other stakeholders. 

* For more information on the project and evaluation process, visit the website at: https://ymgynghori.cyfoethnaturiol.cymru/north-east-gogledd-ddwyrain/north-east-wales-national-park-designation-project

Decision time looms for libraries and One Stop Shop hours cut plan

* Llangollen Library in Castle Street.

Denbighshire County Council’s consultation about the reduction in hours to the library and One Stop Shop service closed at the end of October.

The consultation generated a record-breaking 4,600 responses, which equates to nearly 5% of Denbighshire’s population.  

A paper with recommendations for the next steps will go to Cabinet for a decision on December 19. 

The consultation proposed a 50% reduction in hours to Denbighshire’s Library and One Stop Shop Service. 

This proposal meant that all eight council run libraries, including Llangollen, would remain open to deliver services to residents, albeit for fewer hours. 

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage said: “We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to participate in this consultation. 

"The large response rate demonstrates the strong feelings about this proposal and Officers will now take time to consider everyone’s feedback before it is given full consideration at Cabinet’s December meeting. 

“As a council, we are saddened that we have to consider reducing frontline services, but this is the harsh reality of the current economic climate.  

"While this proposal is unpopular, it would ensure that the service continues in all Denbighshire Libraries/One Stop Shops which gives us hope that we can return to a full service in a more favourable economic climate.”

Last month, Denbighshire County Council warned that it faces significant budgetary pressures due to rising costs and demand for services. 

Despite an expected increase in funding of £5.6m (3%) by Welsh Government, this still leaves a funding gap of £20.4m. 

The council, like local authorities in Wales, must find significant savings and Cabinet has asked services across the authority to put forward proposals for consideration.