BYD Dolphin swims ashore

Extending our motor-lexicon even further, BYD – Build Your Dreams – has just 
released its Dolphin from captivity, from what it refers to as their ‘Ocean’ series. Its 
sibling, the Seal will join it on our shores in January and like the Atto 3 launched 
here last April, they can be seen at BYD dealerships in Dublin and Cork. 
Being a full battery powered choice, DOLPHIN enters the compact C-segment 
hatchback, (all generally in the 4.2 metre footprint). There is no getting away from 
the price and range of standard features, which will undoubtedly set it apart from the 
competition and attract those in the market for a modern urban and extended-range 
electric car. Price for Comfort and Design models begins from €29,318 after state 
subsidies. Information regarding Active and Boost models will be announced nearer 
to their market entry early next year. 
The 2024 Dolphin sits on the BYD e-Platform 3.0, and is powered by their 60.4 kWh 
LFP Blade Battery, with a range of 427km (WLTP) and a 30% to 80% fast charging 
speed of 29 minutes. 
Four trims levels are on the menu – Active, Boost, Comfort & Design – the latter two 
expected to be the consumer favourites. Dolphin features include; its rounded 
profile and side silhouette resembling what its designers call ‘the graceful lines of a 
leaping dolphin’. Designers have also given DOLPHIN a two-tone body available in 
seven colour combinations, echoing the colours inside and out to create a feeling of 
exclusivity. 
The Dolphin measures 4,290 mm long, 1,570 mm high, and 1,770 mm wide, with 
wing mirrors unfolded, its wheelbase is 2,700 mm long, and with its short front/rear 
overhangs all combine to give it a more spacious appearance, optimised for space 
and passenger comfort. 
Interior space is good, with space for two adults up front and three smaller-folk in 
the rear – two adults in comfort. The front sports seats are comfortable and 
supportive, both they and the headrests made from vegan leather. Both front seats 
are electric, the driver getting 6-way electric adjustment, while the passenger gets 4- 
way electric adjustment. Rear seats provide generous legroom for passengers. 
Rear seats split 60:40 allow its 345-litre boot to expand to 1,310 litres when both 
seats are folded flat – with some 20 tucked-away spaces for knick-knacks and the 
like. One standard element is a 3.3kW external discharge ‘vehicle-to-load’ facility 
which can be used to charge accessories and power external devices – very handy. 
There is an abundance of safety and advanced driver assistance features as standard. 
The lighting technology on the Dolphin promises to provide a broader beam of light 
to enhance visibility when driving at night, with High Beam Assist, Adaptive Front 
Headlights and Follow Me Home lighting as standard. 
Standard on all models is: 
 Forward Collision Warning 
 Autonomous Emergency Braking 

 Rear Collision Warning 
 Rear Cross Traffic Alert 
 Rear Cross Traffic Brake 
 Lane Departure Prevention 
 Emergency Lane Keeping Assist. 
 Adaptive Cruise Control 
 Intelligent Cruise Control 
 Panoramic camera, which gives the driver 360-degrees visibility for safe 
vehicle manoeuvring 
 Blind Spot Detection System 
 Electronic Stability Control 
 Traction Control 
 Hill Decent Control 
 Automatic Vehicle Hold 
 Traffic Sign Recognition 
 Intelligent Speed Limit Control 

BYD DOLPHIN Specification 
Dimension (L/W/H) 4,290/1,770/1,570 

Kerb weight (kg) 1658 (Comfort and Design) 
wheelbase(mm) 2700 
Drive type FWD 
Top speed (km/h) 150 (Active) 

160 (Boost, Comfort and Design) 

Motor power(kW) 70 (Active) 
130 (Boost) 
150 (Comfort and Design) 
0-100km/h acceleration time (s) 7 (Comfort and Design) 
Wheel size (inch) 16 (Active) 

17 (Boost, Comfort and Design) 

Electric range - WLTP Combined 
(km) 

340 (Active, for reference only) 
310 (Boost, for reference only) 
427 (Comfort and Design) 

Trunk volume (L) 345/1,310 
Seating capacity (occupants) 5 
Battery type BYD Blade Battery (LFP) 
Rated capacity (kWh) 44.9 (Active and Boost) 
60.4 (Comfort and Design) 

Charging power Active and Boost: 
60kW DC 
7kW AC 
Comfort and Design: 
88kW DC 
11kW AC (3 phase) 

DC charging time (30-80%, min) 28 (Active and Boost) 
29 (Comfort and Design) 

Heat Pump Standard 
V2L function Standard 
For more information, please visit www.bydauto.ie