The BYD Dolphin is a B-segment electric utility vehicle that is scheduled to launch in Europe in 2023. Its price in China has already been announced, and it aims to break the schemes of its European rivals.
Chinese electric cars have arrived at a key moment in Europe. While the European industry aims to achieve higher profit margins per car, which makes the final price of the vehicles more expensive, Chinese manufacturers seek volume and more adjusted prices. In this context, models like the BYD Dolphin have the potential to win over the European public. Now we have known its price in China and the truth is that it has an attractive relationship between price and performance.
The BYD Dolphin 2023 is an electric utility vehicle measuring 4.07 meters in length, 1.77 meters in width, and 1.57 meters in height, with a wheelbase of 2.70 meters. It is almost identical in size to the Opel Corsa-e (4.06 m), the Peugeot e-208 (4.05 m), and the Renault ZOE (4.09 m). The BYD Dolphin is, therefore, a direct rival to these three European models.
However, the Dolphin could position itself in the European market with a much more attractive price. The company has announced the price of the BYD Dolphin for the Chinese market: from 15,750 euros for the access version and 18,450 euros for the most powerful version, according to the current currency exchange rate.
Built on BYD ‘s 3.0 electric platform, the Dolphin will be offered two different powertrains, both powered by the same battery. It is a BYD Blade battery, with lithium-ferrophosphate (LFP) cells and 44.9 kWh capacity. The battery supports fast charging in direct current at a maximum of 60 kW.
The two versions of the BYD Dolphin 2023 are equipped with a permanent magnet front synchronous motor, and there will be two power levels. The access version has 70 kW (95 CV), and 180 Nm of torque and approves 420 kilometers of range in the CLTC cycle. Homologation in the European WLTP cycle is not yet known, although it could exceed 350 kilometers. It does 0-100 km/h in 10.9 seconds.
The most powerful version delivers 130 kW (177 hp) of power and 290 Nm of torque and manages to do 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds. The greater power of this version makes it lose range between charges: this version certifies 401 kilometers of range.
That it is an economical utility is not incompatible with fairly complete equipment. The Dolphin comes with a 12.8-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster with a 5-inch screen, heated front seats (electrically adjustable on the passenger seat), parking sensors, and a rear center armrest with a cup holder included. All this with a very modern interior design and bright colors.
What can we expect from the BYD Dolphin in Europe?
Although there is still no official confirmation from BYD, the Dolphin is expected to arrive in Europe throughout 2023. Now, when it does, its price will also increase compared to the Chinese market.
Even so, its price will continue to be very adjusted for what the vehicle offers. Taking into account the price of the BYD Atto 3, a compact electric SUV that is already sold in Europe, for the Dolphin a price of around 25,000 euros or even less can be expected, without including possible aid.
Another aspect to take into account will be the official range: the European WLTP cycle is more demanding than the Chinese CLTC cycle, so the WLTP range of the BYD Dolphin will fall from those 420 kilometers announced in the Chinese market. In any case, there are reasons to be optimistic: the first range tests of the BYD Atto 3 have shown that BYD technology is very efficient.
