This is China’s answer to VW Golf and ID.3

Chinese manufacturers are also increasingly penetrating the compact model market. BYD – the second largest electric car and the third largest battery manufacturer in the world – now shows a handsome five-door that, at 4.29 meters, is almost as long as the VW Golf to the nearest millimetre.

But BYD’s e-car can do what the Golf can’t: it only runs emission-free. The Dolphin is therefore the Chinese counterpart to VW’s compact electric car ID.3.

A 150 kW/204 hp electric motor powers the BYD, which enables acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in seven seconds and a top speed of 160 km/h. With a battery capacity of 60 kWh, the car has a WLTP range of 427 kilometers. Fast charging with direct current is possible up to a capacity of 88 kW, charging from 30 to 80 percent takes about 30 minutes.

Performance, range, acceleration and top speed correspond to the VW ID.3, but the Germans offer significantly faster charging and an additional variant with a larger battery (77 kWh) and therefore a larger range.

The interior of the Dolphin offers space for five people and a trunk that is expandable from 345 to 1,310 liters (ID.3: 385 or 1,267 liters). While driving, the driver looks at a small color display that shows important information. Everything else is located in the center of the cockpit on a large touchscreen that can be aligned both horizontally and vertically.

The launch of the Dolphin is expected before the summer, prices in Germany would be between 30,000 and 38,000 euros, with an entry-level price for a variant with a smaller 44 kWh battery that will probably be available later. For comparison: VW’s ID.3 is available in Germany with the 58 kWh battery from 40,000 euros. The cheaper basic model of the ID.3 with a 45 kWh battery has not been for sale for a long time, but should be included in the range again.

BYD is not yet active in Switzerland, so it is unknown if and when the Dolphin will be available here.

In Germany and other European countries, BYD (Build Your Dreams) also wants to launch the electric luxury SUV Tang, the middle class sedan Seal and the business sedan Han.

The car brand was created when BYD Company Limited took over the state-owned manufacturer Xian Qinhuan Automobile. BYD was one of the largest car manufacturers in China last year with about 1.5 million new cars.

(t-online/oli)