As the world increasingly shifts towards sustainable energy, the demand for affordable electric cars is higher than ever. Amid this rising trend, a new contender has emerged: the BYD Dolphin. With its impressive range and affordability, many are wondering if this electric vehicle could be the new king of cheap electric cars.
BYD, which stands for “Build Your Dreams,” is the company behind the BYD Dolphin and Ocean series. This Chinese automaker is not only the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer but also produces batteries, energy storage systems, and solar panels, making it a leader in the renewable energy industry. In fact, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is one of BYD’s major investors, with a 25% stake in the company. With a commitment to sustainable technology and innovation, BYD is poised to continue making waves in the automotive industry.
Exterior
The BYD Dolphin is a sleek and stylish electric car that exudes an air of modernity and innovation. Its exterior design is a perfect blend of form and function, with every line and curve serving a specific purpose.
The front of the car features a bold and aggressive grille with a distinctive BYD logo, which gives it a sense of confidence and power. The LED headlights add a touch of elegance and sophistication , making it stand out from other electric cars on the road.
Moving along the sides, you’ll notice the Dolphin’s aerodynamic profile, with a smooth and sculpted body that reduces wind resistance and increases efficiency. The large, wraparound windows provide excellent visibility, giving drivers a commanding view of the road.
At the rear, the Dolphin features a sporty and dynamic look with sophisticated LED taillights that are both functional and stylish. The spoiler on the back of the car not only adds to its sporty appearance but also helps to improve its overall aerodynamics.
Similar to the rest of the car, the BYD Dolphin has a straightforward and approachable design. Due to its rounded shape and side silhouette that resemble the beautiful contours of a leaping dolphin, the BYD Dolphin is instantly recognizable and modern.
The low front and rear overhangs and extended wheelbase provide the car with a more expansive appearance based on the Dolphin’s new energy attributes. Measuring 169 inches long and 70 inches wide with wing mirrors unfolded, the BYD Dolphin offers a 106-inch wheelbase , ideal for spaciousness and comfort. The height of the car is 61.8 inches.
Overall, the BYD Dolphin’s exterior design is a stunning example of how form and function can work together to create a beautiful and efficient electric car. Its sleek and aerodynamic profile, combined with its sporty accents and modern features, make it a true standout in the world of electric vehicles.
Interior and Cargo
As you step into the Dolphin, you’re greeted by a spacious and futuristic cabin that’s sure to make you feel like you’re driving a car straight out of a sci-fi movie. The seats are upholstered in a sleek black fabric with just a hint of blue accenting that echoes the vehicle’s electric power source.
The ergonomically shaped sports seats and headrests for the 5-seater are made of vegan leather. The heated front seats can be adjusted electrically in 6 different ways for the driver and 4 different ways for the front passenger . The side wings are more upright, and the shoulder and back support in the seat has been specifically optimized to accommodate the body’s curves for a more comfortable, wraparound ride.
The amount of space available in the BYD Dolphin is even more impressive. If you were dissatisfied with the limited legroom in an MG 4, you’ll love the Dolphin. Thanks to the e-Platform 3.0 , passengers in the back seats have plenty of legroom. When both seats are folded flat, the seats can split 60:40, expanding the 12 cubic-foot trunk to 46 cubic feet.
The elegant cabin is crafted with sweeping, slender curves that give the impression that the passengers are engulfed in waves. The dashboard’s straightforward and elegant design offers a novel human-machine interaction experience by putting standard functionality at your fingertips. Physical buttons take up less room, freeing up more room for storage.
The cabin is also well lit and doesn’t feel cramped or dark, thanks to the low window line and glass roof in high-end models, as well as the abundance of light-colored materials.
The exceptional Dolphin has a huge panoramic sunroof composed of double-layer gray glazing that is highly durable, acoustically and thermally insulated, and has a glass area comparable to that of a luxury sedan. Users benefit from an extremely wide angle view, a wider light area, and a more transparent view as a result. Additionally, it has a 97% sunshade to keep you cool on scorching summer days.
The BYD Dolphin is also built with more than 20 useful and adaptable storage compartments,[8] and the boot can easily fit 4 typical 20-inch suitcases.
Technology
Another standout feature of the Dolphin’s interior is the large 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is definitely a showstopper. The ability to rotate between portrait and landscape orientations at the touch of a button is certainly an eye-catching feature.
However, regardless of the rotating screen, the infotainment system itself is well-designed and user-friendly, providing easy access to a wide range of features and functions. And with voice recognition technology , drivers can even control many of these features hands-free, which can be a real plus for safety and convenience.
Performance
BYD has redesigned the Dolphin for Europe with a larger 60 kWh pack and faster charging capabilities, despite the fact that the company currently provides the vehicle in its home market with 2 battery options: 30.7 kWh and 44.9 kWh . The size of the new battery and the timing of its introduction has not yet been determined, but the bosses aim to eventually add a smaller battery to the lineup.
The battery utilizes LFP chemistry and has a blade design from BYD that allows for the packing of more cells into a smaller area. LFP batteries are easier to manufacture, last longer, and contain no cobalt. The blade configuration is also exceptionally sturdy, which benefits both structural rigidity and safety.
Additionally, the Dolphin has a heat pump as standard equipment, which means that the heating system uses a lot less battery power to heat and cool the cabin.
A 204-bhp, 290-nm engine drives the front wheels and connects the battery to the wheels. Expect Dolphin owners to be excited about their prospects at the traffic light grand prix because it is the same motor that BYD installs in the larger and heavier Atto 3.
With regard to range, the Dolphin has a WLTP-measured range of 265 miles, which puts it above all of its sector rivals, the majority of which offer approximately 200 miles. In the actual world, depending on the circumstances and the type of roads you’ll be traveling on, we’d anticipate the Dolphin to travel somewhere between 180 and 220 miles .
While the performance and range are impressive, BYD’s choice to equip the Dolphin with 88 kW of DC rapid charging capability is regrettable. Although the MINI and Renault Zoe are only capable of 50 kW charging, some vehicles, including the Peugeot e208 and Vauxhall Corsa-e, have 100 kW charging as standard. The Dolphin does have an 11 kW AC charging capacity, which is a positive.
Options and Pricing
Before the end of 2023, BYD intends to start selling the Dolphin hatchback in Europe, which will be available in a choice of 4 trim levels and with a number of two-tone color options, including a vivid blue and a baby pink.
Although the pricing has not yet been confirmed, the $33,000 Dolphin might be a successful marketing strategy to draw in European customers who have a growing demand for affordable, small electric vehicles.
The 45 kWh battery pack in the model will cost around €30,000 , while a larger 60 kWh battery will cost €38,000 , or roughly $42,000, and have a range of 427 kilometers, or 265 miles.
With its cutting-edge design and technology, the Dolphin truly offers unparalleled performance, comfort, and range, making it a top contender in its sector.