Can China save the wagon? New BYD Seal Travel Edition is a plug-in hybrid with punch that aims to take on models like the Skoda Octavia and Peugeot 5008

Having already turned its hand to passenger cars, SUVs and utes in Australia, Chinese brand BYD appears poised to conquer the wagon segment, with details of the incoming BYD Seal Travel Edition leaking in China.

The details have appeared on the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology website, and show a sleek, wagon-shaped Seal that will deploy the brand's DM-i (dual-motor) plug-in hybrid technology.

According to local site AutoHome, the Seal wagon measures 4850mm in length, 1890mm in width and 1505mm in height. For perspective, the Skoda Octavia wagon measures 4698mm in length.

In terms of power, the site is predicting the fifth-generation of the BYD's DM-i tech, which would pair a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery to deliver an all-electric driving range of up to 120km, and – based on the band's other PHEV products – a combined (petrol and electric) range in excess of 1000kms.

The styling is looks pseudo-European (the spiritual home of all wagons) with the familiar Seal's front end and rear ends bookending the new extended body. Rather than deploy a sloping-style rear end, BYD has instead carried the roof line more horizontally, giving the side profile a boxier look, but also increasing the to-the-roof storage of the boot.

BYD in Australia is yet to comment on the Seal wagon, but has promised a flurry of new-car activity, with importer EV Direct's David Smitherman recently telling CarsGuide to expect a "proliferation of product". That said, the focus will be on the ute and SUV space, rather than passenger cars.

"As a business, we're better focused on SUV and ute. That's where most sales in Australia are, and that's how we establish the brand," Mr Smitherman said.

"But there will be definitely a proliferation of product from BYD."