The BYD has just announced the arrival to the national market of its latest proposal, the Dolphin, a 100% electric model available in Portugal starting from €29,990.
The new compact family of two and a half volumes and five doors from BYD is based on the e-Platform 3.0, is offered in two motor/battery combinations, and measures 4.29 m in length and 2.70 m in wheelbase, with a trunk capacity ranging from 345-1310 liters.
This 100% electric model is equipped with blade batteries, the Blade Battery, instead of the traditional ones composed of cylindrical elements, cobalt-free and using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) as the cathode material, which offers a much higher level of safety than conventional lithium-ion batteries.
This battery uses honeycomb-shaped blades, which according to BYD provide enough rigidity to be a structural element of the chassis. In addition, it offers a higher energy density than lithium-ion batteries.
The Dolphin uses a propulsion system that combines, in a single element, the Vehicle Control Unit, the Battery Management System, the Power Distribution Unit, the Traction Motor, the Motor Controller, the Transmission, the DC-DC Converter, and the Onboard Charger – integration that allows BYD to announce a system efficiency of 89%. The new model from the Chinese brand is also equipped with a heat pump, which announces up to 15% higher efficiency in winter.
With a modern exterior image, the Dolphin has a rounded profile and a side silhouette that resembles a dolphin emerging from the ocean, which is reinforced by the two-tone paint. However, it is the interior that impresses the most in this 100% electric model from BYD, which features a spacious and aesthetically pleasing cabin, even in the rear seat, where two passengers travel comfortably with ample legroom.
In addition, the interior is equipped with all conventional functions, with a simple design, highlighting the 5” instrument panel that provides an interactive and innovative experience.
Also worth mentioning is the 12.8” infotainment screen, which allows for vertical or horizontal positioning and benefits from wireless software updates.
Proposed in Active, Boost, Comfort, and Design versions, and offering Sport, Normal, Economy, and Snow driving modes, the Dolphin, in its Active entry-level variant, is powered by a 95 hp engine (maximum speed of 150 km/h), fueled by a 44.9 kWh battery capable of providing a range of up to 340 km, and capable of receiving AC charging up to 7 kW, and DC fast charging up to 60 kW. Available from €29,990, the Dolphin Active includes as standard features: 16″ two-tone alloy wheels; a 12.8″ rotating central screen; Level 2 driving assistance package (including autonomous emergency braking with forward collision warning; rear collision warning; rear traffic alert with assistance; and active lane keeping); 360° panoramic view; and Vegan leather seats with electric adjustments in the front.
As for the Dolphin Boost, it is equipped with a 176 hp engine (maximum speed of 160 km/h), combined with the same 44.9 kWh battery, for a range of up to 310 km. Priced at €30,690, it adds to the features mentioned for the Active version: 17″ wheels and multilink rear suspension.
On the other hand, the more equipped variants, which will be available in early 2024, are equipped with a 60.4 kWh battery capable of recovering 80% of the charge in 29 minutes at an 88 kW fast charging station, capable of receiving AC charging at 11 kW, and providing a range of up to 427 km. The Dolphin Comfort version is offered from €35,960 and comes with front parking sensors, a six-speaker sound system, heated front seats, tinted rear windows, and wireless charging as standard features.
The Design version is available for €37,690, presenting the same technical specifications as the Comfort version, and adding bicolor exterior paint, panoramic roof, tinted windows, specific 17″ wheels, and Vehicle-to-Load (VtoL) power extension.
Regardless of the version, BYD has announced that the Dolphin comes with an 8-year or 200,000-kilometer warranty for the batteries, as well as a 6-year general warranty.
In the brief dynamic essay that we conducted behind the wheel of the new BYD Dolphin, it was easy to perceive that we are facing a comfortable model, with a good driving position and that shows that it was designed for city driving, with light steering and interesting agility for those who circulate on narrower streets, such as the case of the route we took in the city of Lisbon.
Although we did not drive on the highway with the BYD, we can attest that the model presents good stability when we apply more pressure on the accelerator, arguments that certainly weighed in the recent maximum five-star rating in safety tests carried out by Euro NCAP, the main independent program for evaluating vehicle safety in Europe, where the Dolphin proved its quality with high scores in the protection of adult and child occupants.
