| BYD Dolphin | |
| Manufacturer: | BYD Auto |
| Production: | August 2021 – present |
| Designer: | Under the lead of Wolfgang Egger |
| Body Style: | 5-door hatchback |
| Layout: | Front-motor, front-wheel-drive |
| Platform: | e-Platform 3.0 |
| Motor: | Permanent magnet synchronous |
| Wheelbase: | 27001NaN1 |
| Width: | 17701NaN1 |
| Height: | 15701NaN1 |
| Weight: | 1285–[1] |
The BYD Dolphin is a battery electric hatchback produced by the Chinese manufacturer BYD Auto since 2021. A subcompact (B-segment or A0-class) hatchback in its home country, the Dolphin is positioned above the Seagull in the Chinese market and part of BYD's 'Ocean Series'.[2]
The Dolphin has been exported to overseas markets such as Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia since 2023 with lengthened dimensions to satisfy more stringent crash safety standards, and placing it in the compact or C-segment space.[3]
During Auto Shanghai in April 2021, BYD presented a pre-production prototype of the Dolphin called BYD EA1 Concept, while also announcing a modernized design language and company logo.[4] The company also introduced presented a new generation of electric car platform called the e-Platform 3.0, which offer more efficient performance and range.
The production model was presented three months later as the BYD Dolphin, and became available in August 2021.[5] The Dolphin adopts BYD's Marine Aesthetics design language that is also used in other Ocean Series models, a one-box side silhouette devised by head of BYD design team Wolfgang Egger.[4] The Dolphin was the first production model to feature the new BYD logo.[6]
The interior of the Dolphin features a rotatable 12.8-inch infotainment screen, and a full 5-inch LCD instrument panel. It comes standard with the LFP blade battery in varying capacities.[7]
The modified version destined for the global market was introduced in 2023. For most export markets, the Dolphin was lengthened by approximately 201NaN1 in order to accommodate a new front-end crash structure, which was designed to achieve a five-star Australian ANCAP safety rating. The global model received different front and rear bumpers, front hood and wing fenders that extended its overhang, which increased its length to 42901NaN1 and placing it as a C-segment car.[8]
On 22 September 2023, the 500,000th Dolphin rolled off the assembly line after 25 months in production.[9]
The specifications below corresponds to the 4.1m (13.5feet)-long Dolphin marketed in China and some export markets such as Latin America.[10]
| Battery | Layout | Electric motor | Power | Torque | NaN0NaN0 (claimed) | Range (claimed) | Calendar years | Note | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLTC | NEDC | WLTP | |||||||||
| 30.72 kWh LFP blade battery | FWD | Permanent magnet synchronous motor | 700NaN0 | 180Nm | 10.5 seconds | 3010NaN0 | 2021–2022 | ||||
| 44.9 kWh LFP blade battery | 700NaN0 | 180Nm | 10.9 seconds | 4200NaN0 | 4050NaN0 | 2021–present | Exported to Latin America | ||||
| 44.9 kWh LFP blade battery | 1300NaN0 | 290Nm | 7.5 seconds | 4010NaN0 | 2021–present | ||||||
| 60.48 kWh LFP blade battery | 1500NaN0 | 310Nm | 5200NaN0 | 2024–present | Available with the Dolphin Champion Edition[11] | ||||||
| References: [12] [13] [14] [15] | |||||||||||
The global, 42901NaN1-long Dolphin became available in 2023 in Europe, and right-hand drive markets such as Australia, Thailand and Malaysia. The global version is also sold in Latin America as the Dolphin Plus.[16] For the Extended Range version, it receives a more sophisticated independent multi-link rear suspension setup replacing torsion beam.
| Type | Battery | Layout | Electric motor | Power | Torque | NaN0NaN0 (claimed) | Range (claimed) | Calendar years | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEDC | WLTP | |||||||||
| Standard Range | 44.9 kWh LFP blade battery | FWD | Permanent magnet synchronous motor | 700NaN0 | 180Nm | 12.3 seconds | 4100NaN0 | 3400NaN0 | 2023–present | |
| 44.9 kWh LFP blade battery | 1300NaN0 | 260Nm | Unannounced | 3090NaN0 | 2023–present | |||||
| 50.25 kWh LFP blade battery | 700NaN0 | 180Nm | 12.3 seconds | 4350NaN0 | 2024–present (Thailand)[17] | |||||
| Extended Range | 60.48 kWh LFP blade battery | 1500NaN0 | 310Nm | 7.0 seconds | 4900NaN0 | 4270NaN0 | 2023–present | |||
| References: [18] [19] [20] | ||||||||||
In China, the Dolphin is available in two versions and three trim levels. The Free and Fashion trim levels is equipped with a 700NaN0 motor, while the Knight Edition has a more powerful 1300NaN0 motor. Previously, the Dolphin was available in a basic trim with a 30.72 kWh blade battery, with a range of 3010NaN0. Between 2023 and 2024, all versions uses the same 44.9 kWh blade battery. With the body kit equipped to the Knight Edition, the variant is 301NaN1 longer.
In September 2023, the Dolphin 500,000 Commemorative Edition was released to celebrate the production of the 500,000th Dolphin. It was available in two sub-variants, Pro and Plus.
In February 2024, the Dolphin Champion Edition went on sale as the 2024 model year. It received an independent multi-link rear suspension setup, a 60 kWh battery option with a 1500NaN0 electric motor and a wireless charger, which were previously reserved for the global market version.[21]
The European version of the Dolphin was introduced in April 2023. As with the global specification, the European market Dolphin occupies the C-segment as it received different front and rear bumpers that extended its length to of 42901NaN1. In addition, the powertrain of the European-spec Dolphin is upgraded. The car is powered by a 1500NaN0 front-wheel drive motor, paired with a 60.48 kWh battery which is shared with the Atto 3.
In February 2022, BYD's Australian distributor, EVDirect, announced plans to sell the Dolphin in Australia.[22] The car was released in an announcement event at Sea World in Gold Coast, Queensland on June 22, 2023. Two variants are available: a 70abbr=onNaNabbr=on Dynamic trim and a 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on Premium trim.
BYD Dolphin is available in New Zealand in two range variants: the Standard Range has a 44.9 kWh blade battery with a WLTP range of 340km (210miles) and the Extended Range carries a 60.48 kWh blade battery, increasing the WLTP range to 427km (265miles).[23]
In March 2023, the global right hand drive version of Dolphin was shown to the public for the first time as the Standard Range (70abbr=onNaNabbr=on with 44.9 kWh blade battery) at the Bangkok International Motor Show 2023.[24] [25] Rever Automotive, BYD's Thailand distributor, introduced Standard Range 95 PS and Extended Range (150abbr=onNaNabbr=on with 60.48 kWh blade battery) to the press at the end of June 2023.[26]
In July 2024, the locally assembled model went on sale with a lower price. The Standard Range model received a larger 50.25 kWh battery, increasing its NEDC-rated range to 4350NaN0. It also received faster DC charging capacity from 60 kW to 70 kW.
In May 2023, the Dolphin was the second BYD model launched in Malaysia after the Atto 3, with deliveries started in August 2023. It is available in two variants: the Dynamic Standard Range (70abbr=onNaNabbr=on and the Premium Extended Range (150abbr=onNaNabbr=on.[27]
The Dolphin was released in Brazil In July 2023. Currently it is available in two models, which are Dolphin and the global market Dolphin Plus.[28] [29]
The Dolphin was sold 6,812 units in Brazil in 2023, making it the best-selling electric car in the country.[30]
In September 2023, the Dolphin was launched in Japan, with two variants: the Dolphin (44.9 kWh 70abbr=onNaNabbr=on and the Dolphin Long Range (58.56 kWh 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on.[31] [32]
The Dolphin was introduced in Indonesia in January 2024 alongside the Atto 3 and Seal, as part of BYD's entry to the Indonesian passenger car market.[33] Sales price were announced at the 31st Indonesia International Motor Show in February 2024.[34] It is available in two variants: the Dynamic Standard Range (70abbr=onNaNabbr=on and the Premium Extended Range (150abbr=onNaNabbr=on.[35]
The Dolphin was launched in South Africa on 18 May 2024 in two variants: Standard Range (44.9 kWh) and Extended Range (60.48 kWh).[36]
The Dolphin has been launched in Brunei in 15 June 2024 and the car were offered only in Dynamic Standard Range (44.9 kWh) in a single trim.[37]
The Dolphin was introduced in Vietnam on 18 July 2024 alongside the Atto 3 and Seal, as part of BYD's entry in Vietnam. It is available in a sole GLX variant using the Standard Range 44.9 kWh powertrain.[38]
BYD Dolphin won the title of 'Best Small Electric Car' at the Carbuyer Best Car Awards 2024.[39]
| Year | China | Thailand | Australia | Brazil | Malaysia[40] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 29,598[41] | |||||
| 2022 | 204,674[42] | |||||
| 2023 | 299,708[43] | 9,410[44] | 925[45] | 6,812[46] | 1,313 |