BYD Dolphin under 30,000 euros! Can the Volkswagen ID.3 pack?
Say what you will about Chinese car brands, but there’s no denying that they’re disrupting the market. The MG 4 Electric is a razor-sharp competitor to the Volkswagen ID.3, and this BYD Dolphin hides even there.
BYD has already entered the Dutch car market. You’ve probably come across a BYD Han or Tang on the street. You can’t miss them, because on the back it says “BUILD YOUR DREAMS” in cow letters. A bit embarrassing actually.
BYD Dolphin is priced very competitively
Anyway, if the price is low enough, then you will accept this kind of Chinese. And that’s why the Dutch will be looking forward to this BYD Dolphin. Because where else is there an electric C-segment hatchback for less than 30,000 euros?
The Dolphin enters the waters of the Cupra Born, the MG 4 Electric, the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric and the Volkswagen ID.3. The Opel Astra Electric and Peugeot e-308 will be added later this year.
Entry-level model with 95 hp and a range of 340 kilometers
With its entry-level price, however, the BYD is even cheaper than the smaller Opel Corsa Electric and Peugeot e-208, because it starts at 29,990 euros. For this money you get a 95 hp electric motor, a 44.9 kWh battery (range: 340 kilometers) and a charging speed of up to 60 kW.
Those aren’t spectacular specs, but they fit the price point. You can get the Dolphin 44.9 kWh with 177 hp for 32,990 euros, the version with a 60.4 kWh battery costs at least 36,490 euros. The latter is 204 hp, has a maximum range of 427 kilometers and will be available from dealers from autumn.
Several centimeters longer than ID.3 and Megane E-Tech
Standard equipment on all BYD Dolphins includes a heat pump, adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera, active lane departure warning, power front seats, air conditioning and a 12.8-inch infotainment screen that extends from horizontal to vertical can rotate.
The Dolphin is 4.3 meters long and has a wheelbase of 2.7 meters. This makes it several centimeters longer than the Volkswagen ID.3 and the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric. The trunk of the BYD has space for between 345 and 1310 liters of luggage.