Romanian rally driver Cristiana Oprea has transformed a production BYD Seal into a race car, set to make its racing debut at Super Rally Timișoara on August 28–29.
The first BYD race car in Europe has been modified in Romania under the name BYD Seal 01, and was launched in Bucharest at an event hosted by local BYD dealer Țiriac Auto. The fully electric car was transformed for competition by the team of rally driver Cristiana Oprea, the first Romanian female driver to compete in the FIA World Rally Championship, a pioneer of electric motorsport and the 2025 Romanian Super Rally Electric Class Champion.
BYD Seal 01 is an independent project developed by a local team with extensive experience in European and World Championship-level motorsport. The result is a spectacular and high-performance race car, ready to take on the established competitors of Romania’s growing electric motorsport scene.
“I have wanted to make this project happen since last year, when I experienced the potential of this new model on the Romanian market from behind the wheel. Now, with the support of my partners UniCredit Leasing, PPC blue Romania and Schaeffler, the time has come to build this dream and bring it to the start line. I am also proud that we are marking a European first – something that has already become a defining part of both my vision and my motorsport career. Last but not least, I would like to thank fellow drivers Dominic Marcu and Horia Platona for their advice and ideas. Team spirit and fair play mean a great deal in a pioneering projects like this one.” says Cristiana Oprea.
The new race car is based on the BYD Seal Excellence, equipped with two electric motors, all-wheel drive and a maximum output of 390 kW – equivalent to 530 hp – along with 670 Nm of torque. In standard form, the car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. Over the past few weeks, however, the Seal has undergone an extensive transformation process and is now approximately 160 kilograms lighter.
The first stage of the project – involving stripping and rebuilding – was completed in record time with the support of the specialists at ATP Group Baia Mare, a Romanian company with more than 20 years of experience in the automotive industry.
The interior was stripped of comfort-oriented components, including the audio system, airbags, ambient lighting and carpeting, before the installation of motorsport-specific safety equipment: an FIA-certified roll cage built by Ireco Motorsport, FIA homologated Sparco bucket seats, a Sparco fire extinguisher, six-point harnesses and other equipment designed to meet the rigorous safety requirements of motorsport competitions.
At this first stage in the evolution of the BYD Seal 01 project, Cristiana Oprea has also opted for adjustable KW suspension, Ferodo racing brakes, and a new, lighter configuration of Braid wheels fitted with Michelin competition tyres.
“This is the most powerful car I have ever driven, which means there will be an exciting process of adaptation and development ahead. We will certainly discover areas that can be improved to make the car even more competitive. I am referring to the braking system, software modifications and further weight reduction through the development of carbon-fibre body components. We are preparing as thoroughly as possible for the 2027 season, because this story is only just beginning,” said Cristiana Oprea ahead of her first competitive start in the BYD Seal 01.
The BYD Seal 01 will be driven by Cristiana Oprea in the two remaining rounds of the 2026 Romanian National Super Rally Championship: Timișoara Trophy, taking place on August 28–29, and Bucharest Trophy, on October 10.
Starting in 2027, she will also compete in the Romanian National Hill Climb Championship, with the goal of transforming Europe’s first BYD race car into a laboratory for electric performance.
For Cristiana Oprea, the BYD Seal 01 is more than just a new sporting project. As the founder of the Romanian Women in Motorsport platform – Femei in Motorsport, the project represents a continuation of her mission to make motorsport more visible and relevant to the next generation, demonstrating that women belong wherever there is passion, discipline and ambition.
The project is supported by partners playing an important role in the electric mobility ecosystem.
UniCredit Leasing supports the project as Cristiana’s main partner. She has been a driver for the UniCredit Leasing Motorsport Team since 2021. In 2025, UniCredit Leasing and BYD launched a strategic partnership aimed at providing Romanian customers with accessible financing solutions for BYD models, helping accelerate the transition towards more sustainable and efficient mobility.
PPC blue Romania joins Cristiana for a second consecutive season, proving that electric mobility can perform at the highest level. PPC blue Romania operates a network of more than 1,400 charging points, with a total installed capacity exceeding 46 MW.
Schaeffler, Cristiana’s partner for the fourth season, also plays an important role in the project. The company brings its experience in developing innovative technologies for mobility and electrification, continuing a collaboration that began in 2022 in the world’s first electric rally championship.
Cristiana Oprea’s 2026 motorsport season is made possible with the support of UniCredit Leasing, PPC blue Romania and Schaeffler, alongside technical partners Let’s Race – an online store specialising in motorsport equipment and parts – Walero and GoPro, as well as media partner AutoExpert.
More information about Cristiana Oprea’s projects and racing activities is available on her blog, cristianaoprea.ro, on Instagram @crissoprea, and on her Cristiana Oprea Facebook page.
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