BYD Dolphin

Europe is witnessing a change in the way we move. Electric cars represent the future of the Old Continent. As of 2035, with some exceptions, the sale of thermal vehicles will be prohibited. This has allowed China, the largest producer of electric cars in the world, to land on the Old Continent with such interesting products as the BYD Dolphin. An urban area capable of mobilizing the masses.

We have tested this car:

BYD Dolphin 204 CV Design 60,4 kWh test (with video)

Although the electric car still does not represent the highest percentage of sales, in a few years the panorama will change radically. The price continues to be a limiting factor in its expansion, but little by little Asian brands and models arrive willing to break the economic barrier with interesting and well-presented products. BYD wants to position itself as a reference thanks to products such as the Dophin, the BYD Act 3 or BYD Inn, among others.

Technical characteristics of the BYD Dolphin

In just a few years, the Chinese automobile industry has evolved more than in all previous decades. China is the largest producer of new energy cars and the batteries that power them. BYD It is one of the most prominent companies on the market, capable of offering the same technologies as other traditional brands. The Dolphin has an outstanding range of all of them, including the e-Platform 3.0 architecture that we can see in other models like the BYD Seal.

In China, BYD offers a wide range of products, but in Europe the Dolphin ranks as the smallest model in the range. Due to its measurements we can place it perfectly in segment B. Externally it reaches 4,29 meters long, 1,77 meters wide (without mirrors) and 1,57 meters high. To all these measures we must add a wheelbase of 2,7 meters.

This is a generous enough wheelbase for five adults to travel in some comfort, including the three passengers sitting in a fairly wide rear row with plenty of legroom. Regarding load capacity, The BYD Dolphin offers a trunk with a minimum capacity of 345 liters, expandable to a maximum of 1.310 liters if we completely fold down the second row of seats.

BYD Dolphin mechanical range and gearboxes

The Dolphin focuses all its activity on 100% electric mechanics. It has the most varied range of the entire brand in Spain. As is customary with electric ones, the range revolves around different battery sizes and different levels of power and autonomy. The offer includes high-power charging systems, between 60 and 88 kW in direct current and between 7,4 and 11 kW in alternating current, depending on the finish and the selected combination.

The range starts with the front single-engine Dolphin with 95 horsepower. It is exclusively associated with an LFP battery, manufactured by BYD, with a gross capacity of 44,9 kWh that allows it to homologate up to 340 kilometers of autonomy. At a higher level of performance, the Dolphin increases its power to 177 horses. This version is equipped with the same battery, but in this case The approved autonomy is reduced to 310 kilometers in WLTP cycle.

Above these units we find the most performance model of the entire family. It has a single engine installed on the front axle with 204 horsepower and 290 Nm of torque. It is powered by a BYD Blade-type LFP battery that has 60,4 kWh of gross capacity. Thanks to her Autonomy approved in the WLTP cycle grows to 427 kilometers. Its top speed is 160 km/h and it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in exactly 7 seconds.

BYD Dolphin Equipment

Do not make the mistake of thinking that the BYD Dolphin is a low-class car because nothing is further from the truth. From inside the Chinese utility offers a good presentation. It has a lot of technology and a good choice in terms of materials that give off a feeling of quality that is superior to the category standard.

The Dolphin not only offers the most extensive mechanical range in the family, it also offers the most complete range of equipment with different levels that allow greater customization by buyers. The offer revolves around the finishes: Comfort and Design. The main differences between them focus on the mechanical section, although there are also discrepancies in terms of design, technology and interior finishes.

As for equipment, the Dolphin can offer a full system load, equal to or better than any directly rival model. Technologies such as digital instrumentation or the main screen of the multimedia system with a size of 15,6 inches stand out. To this we must add other details such as the 360-degree parking camera, panoramic roof, heat pump air conditioning, connectivity for mobile devices and assistants with a level 2 autonomous driving.

BYD Dolphin test on video

BYD Dolphin Rivals

Although the BYD Dolphin is a new model in our market, as soon as it arrives it already has to face a series of models that have been on sale for much longer than it. Its rivals are found in the European electric B segment, one of the fastest growing in recent years. In it we find models such as: Peugeot e-208, Opel Corsa-e, MG4, Hyundai Kona Electric y Volkswagen ID.3, among others. The Dolphin stands out for its balance and good value for money.

Highlight

Equipment
Interior space
Value for money

To improve

Price of the most complete versions
Design
Load power

BYD Dolphin Price

When setting valuations, BYD has prioritized affordable costs for low and intermediate finishes, being the most interesting. In Spain, the BYD Dolphin has a minimum price of 35.690 euros, without offers or discounts for the MOVES III Plan. That amount is associated with a model with Comfort finish with 95 horsepower and 340 kilometers of autonomy. The most expensive unit is the Dolphin Design with 204 horsepower and up to 427 kilometers of autonomy. Its minimum rate is 37.690 euros, without offers or discounts.