BYD has introduced the Dolphin G DM-i in Europe, showing the plug-in hybrid at its stand in Paris. The company describes it as its first model designed and developed specifically for the European market. It uses BYD’s Super Hybrid DM 5.0 system and keeps the Dolphin name, but adopts styling that differs from the fully electric Dolphin.
The hatch measures 4.16 meters long, with a 2.61-meter wheelbase and a 425-liter trunk. Its powertrain combines a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, available with 70 or 95 hp, and a 163-hp electric motor producing 21.5 kgfm of torque. Depending on the configuration, combined output is 176 or 212 hp, and the car is claimed to reach 100 km/h from rest in 8.3 seconds.
Buyers will be offered 7.8-kWh and 18-kWh batteries. BYD quotes electric-only ranges of up to 40 km for the entry version and 105 km for the larger-battery configuration, plus a WLTP combined range of up to 1,040 km. The company also cites weighted combined fuel consumption as low as 71.4 km per liter. Pricing has not been announced. The report says the model is expected in Brazil, potentially with flex-fuel technology, but gives no Brazilian launch timing.