Should Australia be getting this? New BYD Dolphin G plug-in with 1040km range detailed for Europe
The BYD Dolphin G has been detailed for European buyers, revealing the Chinese brand’s small plug-in hybrid hatchback will come with an impressive 105km EV range and low pricing.
The bad news is it has already been ruled out for Australia.
The shorter version of the regular Dolphin EV is powered by the Chinese car giant’s latest Super Hybrid system that blends a 70kW/102Nm 1.5-litre petrol four-cylinder engine with an electric motor producing 120kW and 210Nm.
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With the smallest 7.4kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) Blade battery, the Dolphin G produces 129kW and 210Nm and comes with an all-electric driving range of 40km.
Choose the larger 18.3kWh battery and power output climbs to 156kW, combined with the ability to drive up to 105km on EV power alone. Total range rises to an impressive 1040km on a full tank of fuel.
Acceleration is identical for either model, with 0-100km/h taking 8.3 seconds.
While the smaller battery can only be topped up at up to 3.3kW using AC charging, the larger battery accepts a 6.6kW AC charge and can also take a 39kW DC fast charge, with a 10-80 per cent recharge taking 26 minutes.
Vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging of appliances such as laptops and e-bikes is standard.
Measuring 4160mm long, 1825mm wide and 1575mm high, with a 2610mm wheelbase, the Dolphin G is 130mm shorter than the EV version and 170mm smaller than the BYD Atto 3, making it one of the world’s smallest plug-in hybrids.
Offered in four trims in the UK, wheel sizes span from 16 to 18 inches, with the base Active getting a 10.1-inch infotainment screen paired with an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster.
Higher-grade models gain a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen, panoramic roof and 360-degree camera.
To help maximise range and cooling, the Dolphin G gets active air intakes and revised aerodynamics that include a rear spoiler. The flagship Sport model ramps up the visual aggression with its own styling kit.
With pricing still to be confirmed, the entry model with the smallest battery is expected to be priced from less than £20,000 ($38,100), while versions with the larger battery are expected to cost around £23,000 ($43,800).
At that money, the BYD Dolphin G, which is built in Hungary, is positioned well above the EV version offered Down Under, which costs between $29,990 and $36,990.
That might explain why BYD Asia-Pacific general manager Liu Xueliang has already ruled out the Dolphin G for Australian buyers, despite its long EV range.
Instead, the senior executive has promised another “special model” for Australian consumers, with an announcement scheduled later this year to reveal exactly what that vehicle will be.
