BYD has firmed up details for its incoming Dolphin G DM-i plug-in hybrid supermini.
Imminently opening for orders, the new edition of the compact hatchback will sit alongside the existing fully electric version and will become the smallest plug-in hybrid in the UK.
It’s the Chinese carmaker’s first product designed specifically for overseas markets including Europe, springboarding a new line-up of compact and lower-medium models designed and developed on the Continent.
Newly revealed details show the powertrain is shared with the new Atto 2 DM-i compact crossover. This teams up a 95hp 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 163hp front-mounted electric motor and a generator, giving a total of 176hp of power for entry-level Active versions and 212hp for Boost/Comfort/Sport models. It’s good for a 112mph top speed and 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds.
Two sizes of Blade Battery are offered in the Dolphin G DM-i. Active versions feature a 7.42kWh capacity for 24.8 miles of WLTP combined pure-electric range and a total range of 633 miles. Boost, Comfort and Sport editions have an 18.3kWh Blade Battery, extending the pure-electric range to 65 miles and the combined total range to 646 miles, while also lowering CO2 emissions from 60g/km to 32g/km.
Active models have a 3.3kW onboard charger that can refill the battery completely from 15% in just under three hours. Boost, Comfort and Sport versions increase this power to 6.6kW and include a 39kW DC charging capability that takes the 18.3kWh battery from 10% to 80% in 26 minutes.
Unlike traditional plug-in hybrid systems, BYD’s DM architecture is EV-led, meaning the high-torque electric motor drives the wheels in most situations. This gives the car the quiet, responsive driving experience of a pure-electric vehicle, and allows the 1.5-litre petrol engine to run as efficiently as possible and keep the Blade Battery charged.
Super Hybrid’s ‘DM-i’ designation stands for ‘Dual Mode Intelligence’. It’s set up for two modes – ‘EV mode’ and hybrid ‘HEV mode’ – but hybrid mode has five distinct sub-configurations based on battery levels and driving demands, requiring no input from the driver.
The front-end features the latest evolution in BYD’s ocean-influenced design, while the rear gets a full-width bar housing the BYD badging and LED tail-lights. There’s also a ‘floating’ roof design and alloy wheels – 16-inch on Active and Boost, 18-inch dual-tone on Comfort and 18-inch gloss-black on Sport.
The interior focuses on space, simplicity and ease of use. There’s an 8.8-inch digital instrument panel and either a 10.1-inch or 12.8-inch infotainment screen. The gear selector is mounted on the steering column, freeing up space between the front seats for a dual-level storage area, complete with a cubbyhole divider and a cupholder and, on most versions, a wireless smartphone-charging pad. Buttons are used to control key functions such as the windscreen demister and the vehicle driving modes.
Despite its compact dimensions – it’s 170mm shorter than the Atto 2 DM-i SUV – the Dolphin G DM-i is designed for best-in-class practicality thanks to clever packaging and a longer wheelbase than any of its conventionally powered rivals. As a result, the supermini gets 425 litres of boot capacity – more than in many family hatchbacks and SUVs – which can be expanded to 1,225 litres by folding down the 60/40 split rear seats, while the boot sides feature practical fixed hooks.
The Dolphin G DM-i also promises innovative features for the supermini segment, including built-in Google, a head-up display and NFC smartphone key access.
The line-up starts with Active, which features the smaller 7.42kWh Blade Battery and gets 16-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera and LED headlights, tail-lights and daytime-running lights. Cabin equipment includes a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with intelligent voice control and smartphone integration (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), an 8.8-inch digital instrument panel, auto air conditioning, fabric upholstery, six- and four-way adjustability on the driver’s and front passenger’s seats respectively, and a pair of front USB ports.
Moving up to Boost level switches the Blade Battery to the larger 18.3kWh capacity and adds the bigger 12.8-inch infotainment screen, plus heating on the front seats and steering wheel, auto dimming on the rear-view mirror, electrically folding side mirrors, multi-coloured ambient cabin lighting, a 15W wireless smartphone-charging pad, rear air vents, rear USB charging ports and a more powerful eight-speaker audio system.
Boost also introduces vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality that allows external devices – everything from a coffee machine or a laptop to fairy lights or even a portable grill – to be powered away from home.
The Dolphin G DM-i Comfort adds in a widescreen head-up display, a panoramic roof with electrically adjustable sunshade, exterior-mirror ‘puddle lights’, a mix of fabric and vegan leather upholstery, electric adjustment and electrically adjustable lumbar support on the driver’s seat, and a 360-degree camera, along with larger 18-inch alloy wheels. The infotainment system is also upgraded with Google integration, bringing Google Maps and Google Assistant, plus the ability to install additional applications such as games and media streaming services.
Finally, the Dolphin G DM-i Sport gains design-led features, a darker style of 18-inch alloy wheels and a unique two-tone cabin treatment, complete with a motorsport-style suede finish on the seat panels.
All versions get front and rear parking sensors as standard, while the Active and Boost editions have a rear-view camera as well, and the Comfort and Sport models boost this feature to a 360-degree view for all-round visibility.
Driver-assistance tech on all trim levels includes adaptive cruise control and intelligent cruise control, emergency lane keeping assistant and lane departure assist, front and rear cross traffic alert and cross traffic brake, blind spot detection, a driver monitoring system and door opening warning.
BYD executive vice president Stella Li commented: “By bringing long electric range, intelligent hybrid technology and advanced digital features into an accessible compact vehicle, we are making sustainable mobility smarter, more practical and available to many more people across Europe.”
Sales begin this summer with deliveries from the autumn. Prices are yet to be announced.
