BYD Dolphin

BYD has made its mark in Malaysia yet again with the launch of its second model, an all-electric hatchback (A-Segment), the BYD Dolphin.

It is the company’s second EV to underpin its e-Platform 3.0, which is specifically made for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV).

Fully-imported (CBU - China), two variants (Dynamic Standard Range, Premium Extended Range), priced (OTR, w/o insurance) at MYR 100,530 and MYR 125,530. 

Each purchase includes a six-year/150,000 KM vehicle warranty, an eight-year/160,000 KM battery warranty and an eight-year/150,000 KM drive unit warranty.

Available colours (exterior - interior). Single-tone for the Dynamic Standard Range (Urban Grey - Grey/Black, Sand White - Brown/Black). 

Two-tone for the Premium Extended Range (Atlantis Grey/Delan Black - Grey/Black, Ski White/Urban Grey - Grey Black, Surf Blue/Urban Grey - Blue/Black).

Built with smooth and seamless contours, the dashboard of the BYD Dolphin is minimalistic and clean, and is paired to a floating-style centre console.

Featured is a two-tone colour scheme (exterior-dependent) with metal trimmings, a large centre-mounted infotainment unit, and turbine-style air-conditioning vents.

Overall, the layout is airy and non-cluttered, with every accessibility ergonomically positioned and driver-centric.

Mounted for the driver is a five-Inch compact digital instrument cluster.

Its five-seater interior is upholstered in synthetic leather (vegan leather), and comes with a selection of two-toned colour schemes (exterior-dependent).

Variant Dynamic Standard Range gets manual adjustment front sports seats (six-way - driver, four-way - passenger), and 60:40 split-fold rear seats. 

Variant Premium Extended Range gets power adjustment front sports seats with ventilation (six-way - driver, four-way - passenger), and 60:40 split-fold rear seats. 

Heightening the ambience is a full-spread, panoramic glass sunroof, exclusive for variant Premium Extended Range. 

For a compact hatchback, the interior provides comfortable seatings with generous head, leg and shoulder rooms for all five occupants. 

Offering comfort and space, this is courtesy of the e-platform 3.0, which has a long wheelbase and a rear cabin flat floor.

Standard fitment is a leather-wrapped steering wheel, in a three-spoke with a flat-bottom design, finished in black.

Featured are multi-function buttons (media, vehicle telematics), voice recognition and column adjustments (tilt, telescopic). 

Aiding the drive is an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

Several practical spaces available. E.g., centre console caverned and partitioned spaces, a decent-sized sliding glove box, and seat back and side door pockets.

Provided are four cup holders, two located at the front centre console and two at the rear seating’s centre armrest. Bottle holders, four with each located at the side door pockets.

Installed standard are one 12-V power socket (front), two USB-A and two USB-C ports (one set - front-rear), and a wireless charger (Premium Extended Range).

Also included is a 3.2-KW Vehicle-To-Load (V2L) function for powering of external devices. 

Boot space is 345-Litres with all seats up, extending to a maximum of 1,310-Litres with all seats down. The tailgate features a remote-powered function. 

The BYD Dolphin measures at 4,290 MM in length, 1,770 MM in width, 1,570 MM in height, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,700 MM.

Clean and sharp with overall flowing contours, its exterior parades the company’s ‘Ocean Aesthetics’ design concept.

The front-end sees a grille with the BYD script, paired to a lower bumper air-vent and corner-fitted inverted L-shaped trim pieces.

Akin to the front with an overall smooth layout, it furthers the design concept by showcasing a seamless and jointless transition of lines.

The rear-end features a simple roof-edge spoiler, accompanied by a bumper with front-matching, inverted L-shaped trim elements.

Headlamps are softly framed with rounded edges, complete with a continuous light strip design cradling the grille.

Fitted are full LED units with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), High Beam Assist (HMA), and Follow-Me-Home light function.

Tail lamps are in a fairly slim light bar design, wider towards the wrapped-around edges, featuring a spiral-esque light graphic. Fitted are full LED units.

The side mirrors are electronically retractable and adjustable, with blind spot-indicators and a heating function.

Variant Dynamic Standard Range rides on a set of 16-Inch alloy rims, wrapped in Linglong Eco Master E 195/60 R16 tyres. 

Variant Premium Extended Range surges on a set of 17-Inch alloy rims, wrapped in Linglong Comfort Master E 205/50 R17 tyres.

The BYD Dolphin features a comprehensive set of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). E.g., Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Automatic Emergency Braking System (AEB), 360-degree view monitor, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Support (LKS), Predictive Collision Warning (PCW), Rear Collision Warning (RCW), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Rear Cross Traffic Brake (RCTB), Lane Departure Prevention (LDP), Emergency Lane Keeping Assist (ELKA), Lane Change Collision Warning (LCW), Electric Parking Brake System (EPB) and Intelligent power brake system. 

Passive safety includes six airbags (driver-front passenger, front side, front-rear curtain), seat belts (pretensioner (dual-stage front pretensioner - Premium Extended Range), anchor, reminder), ISOFIX (outer rear seats), manual-dimming interior rear-view mirror, parking cameras (360-degree), ultrasonic parking radars/sensors (two-front, three-rear), Intelligent power brake system, Electronic Parking Brake System (EPB), Door Open Warning (DOW), and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Four drive modes at the driver’s disposal. Sport, Normal, Economy, and Snow.

It is equipped with a 12.8-Inch intelligent rotating touchscreen (landscape/portrait) infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, wired Apple CarPlay, voice assistant, and satellite navigation.

The comprehensive set of ADAS will make the day-to-day driving less fatigue and much safer in urban areas. 

Plus, long-distance travels will be less of a burden for the driver, as well as ensuring the safety of occupants on board.

Standard fitment for both variants is a six-speaker setup.

Embedded in the BYD Dolphin is a front-mounted electric motor (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor - PMSM). 

Variant Dynamic Standard Range generates 70-KW/94 HP and 180 NM of torque. Variant Premium Extended Range dishes out 150-KW/201 HP and 310 NM of torque.

It has a single-speed automatic transmission.

Power is sent to the front wheels, Front-Wheel Drive (FWD).

Acceleration from 0 to 100 KM/H is done in 12.3 seconds (Dynamic Standard Range), and 7.0 seconds (Premium Extended Range). 

Powered by BYD’s Blade Battery Technology, featuring a Blade Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery (44.9-KWH - Dynamic Standard Range, 60.48-KWH - Premium Extended Range), providing a total driving distance (WLTP) of 340 KM and 427 KM, respectively.

Both variants support AC charging at 7-KW, while DC charging is at 60-KW (Dynamic Standard Range) and 80-KW (Premium Extended Range). Also included is a 3.2-KW Vehicle-To-Load (V2L) function for powering of external devices. 

The BYD Dolphin gets these as standard convenient features. E.g., keyless entry and start with portable card key, voice assistant, single-zone automatic air-conditioning, PM2.5 air filter, power-adjustable with ventilation front sports seats (Premium Extended Range), steering wheel (multi-function, column adjustments), manual-dimming interior rear-view mirror, remote-powered tailgate, panoramic glass sunroof (Premium Extended Range), LED interior lighting (reading, boot), automatic headlamps and wipers, wireless charger (Premium Extended Range), and Vehicle-To-Load (V2L) function.

Ride comfortability feels flexible and firm at the same time. The e-hatchback delivers a comfortable and light steering feel, smooth overall electric performance at all speeds.

Installed setup is independent Macpherson struts (front - both variants), and semi-independent torsion beam (rear - Dynamic Standard Range) and multi-link independent (rear - Premium Extended Range).

It has good sound insulation, with most of the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects accounted for. The ride is quiet, refined and the road noise is mostly muted.

The BYD Dolphin exudes a sleek and energy filled outlook. An ocean-inspired design language that features smooth and seamless body contours.

Interior-wise, its innovative layout paired with many elements of advanced sophistication, give a sense of airiness and easy connectivity to the occupants. 

Overall, inside and out the build quality is satisfactory, and with its distinctive outlook and competitive pricings, the BYD Dolphin is truly a contender in its segment.