BYD Dolphin Gains New PHEV Version in Europe, Debuts in 2026

The European market is poised to get a plug-in hybrid version of the BYD Dolphin hatch, set to debut later in 2026.

Besides the new Atto 2 DM-i, the European market is about to get yet another plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of BYD’s compact EVs, this time around being the Dolphin compact hatchback.

UK-spec BYD Dolphin EV hatch

As reported by Autocar UK, the Dolphin PHEV will serve as a plug-in alternative to the original Dolphin EV, which originally debuted in the Old Continent back in mid-2023. As such, the upcoming Dolphin PHEV is set to become one of the smallest PHEVs on sale in Europe, with most of its similar-sized counterparts using a conventional hybrid system (HEV) like the Toyota Yaris, Renault Clio, and more.

Technical details regarding the Dolphin PHEV remain under wraps for now, although we can expect the hatchback to get the same DM-i plug-in hybrid system used on the Atto 2 DM-i, which in itself is already one of the smallest PHEVs on the market.

Europe-only BYD Atto 2 DM-i PHEV crossover

For reference, the Europe-spec Atto 2 DM-i uses a 1.5-litre 4-cyl ‘Xiaoyun’ petrol engine as its core, plus an electric motor setup at the front axle to deliver a combined output of 212 PS. Battery-wise, the Atto 2 DM-i can be specced with an 18 kWh LFP pack that can supply up to 90 km (WLTP) of pure electric range, plus a comprehensive WLTP range of up to 1,000 km.

More importantly, BYD vice president Stella Li revealed to Autocar UK that the upcoming Dolphin PHEV would be the brand’s first car designed and developed for the European market. With both the Dolphin EV and Atto 2 set to be produced at BYD’s new factory in Hungary, the Dolphin PHEV could also be assembled there too.

Once it debuts later in 2026, the Dolphin PHEV will be part of BYD’s now extensive plug-in hybrid model lineup for Europe, which includes the likes of the aforementioned Atto 2 DM-i, Seal 6 DM-i, and Seal U DM-i, as well as both the upcoming Denza B5 and Denza Z9 GT.

Source: Autocar UK