The new BYD Dolphin G is here. It is tiny. And it is a plug-in hybrid.
Most people expect BYD to just send their existing electric cars everywhere. This one is different. Built specifically for Europe. First time for the company. They aren’t recycling a design from China this time. It’s a 4160-millimeter supermini. A sibling to the Dolphin Surf EV, technically speaking, but distinct enough to warrant its own launch party.
Renault Clio. Volkswagen Polo. Toyota Yaris. These are the enemies now.
The rivals run on mild-hybrids or full-hybrids. No plug needed usually. The Dolphin G does things differently. It gets the Plug-in Hybrid treatment.
Under the Hood
BYD hasn’t handed over the complete manual yet. Not yet anyway. But look at the Atto 3 DM-i. The small SUV that already exists there? It shares the brain. Likely.
Here is the lay of the land. A 1.5-liter petrol engine. It doesn’t drive the wheels. No. It spins. Generates power. An electric motor takes that juice. Drives the front wheels. Directly. Efficient. Maybe too efficient.
Redefining compact cars in the electric era requires changing the rules, not just the engine.
Range? Over 621 miles. Combined electric and gas. That is a lot of ground for a small car. Full details drop in June. Autumn is when you actually buy one.
Made in Hungary
Pricing looks aggressive. Tipped to start under £20,000.
Stella Li, executive vice-president, picked this market on purpose. Europe’s B-segment is “one of the most important parts” of the map, she says. She wanted to shock the compact car world. She wants to change expectations.
Production will happen at BYD’s new plant in Hungary. Close to home. Literally.
It’s an odd choice. A plug-in supermini when everything is going pure EV. Why bother with the plug if you can just charge? Or the engine if you want green credentials? Maybe you want both. Maybe you have range anxiety but still like the idea of not paying at every petrol pump.
The question remains. Will Europeans actually want to plug in their tiny cars?
Or is this just another step in BYD’s relentless expansion.
Wait and see.
