Video: BYD Dolphin pricing and first drive

Two electric BYD Dolphin models – a 45kWh one priced from $49,990 (plus on-road costs) and a higher spec 60kWh extended range model priced from $55,990 (plus ORC) will be available to order at BYD dealerships from June 5 and for test drives starting August.

So says BYD Auto New Zealand brand manager Warren Willmot on a Dolphin first drive with EVs and Beyond managing editor Richard Edwards.

Willmot hopes to see customer deliveries start September and he expects many will go into fleets.

The BYD Dolphin standard range model has 340km (WLTP) range and the extended range gets to 427km (WLTP).

Many safety and tech features are included in the Dolphin, which has a “moon” roof and manual boot release – all explained by Willmot in the video.

A wide range of accessories, such as a tow bar (bike carrier), will also be available, and the BYD Dolphin comes with a vehicle-to-load (V2L) adaptor as standard.

The extended range model also has a two-tone paint option.

Both models share a similar platform to the popular BYD Atto 3 which is part of the “Dynasty” series.

Willmot indicates the Dolphin pre-production model and one other BYD vehicle will be at the National Fieldays at Mystery Creek, Hamilton, on June 14-17.

He also says the BYD Seal could be launched in Q4 this year, with New Zealand a popular market for BYD.

Meanwhile, both BYD Dolphin variants qualify for the $7015 Clean Car rebate.

The BYD Dolphin is a highly efficient and technologically advanced car with premium features and high levels of standard equipment, including a 12.8-inch rotating touch screen, voice integration, BYD Owners App and a full suite of safety and security features, including seven airbags as standard.

All models feature forward collision warning, driver fatigue monitoring, autonomous emergency braking, rear collision warning, rear cross traffic alert and rear cross traffic brake, lane departure prevention and emergency lane keeping assist. 

A new safety feature called child presence detection is available in both models, alerting the owner of a presence in the vehicle once the owner has left it.

Adaptive cruise control and intelligent cruise control feature, along with a panoramic camera that provides the driver with 360‐degree visibility for safe vehicle manoeuvring.

A blind spot detection system, electronic stability control, traction control, hill descent control, automatic vehicle hold, and traffic sign recognition with intelligent speed limit control are included as additional driver aids.

Cutting‐edge lighting technology also provides a broader beam of light to assist visibility when driving at night, with high beam assist, adaptive front headlights and “Follow Me Home” as standard.

Charging power is 6.4kW AC while an 80kW DC charger can replenish the battery from 30% to 80% in 29 minutes. 

A high‐efficiency integrated heat pump is standard, and a direct cooling and heating system for power batteries increases the thermal efficiency by up to 15% in the winter, using residual heat from the surroundings, the powertrain, the passenger compartment and even the batteries.

Intelligent thermal management for extreme weather conditions enables an excellent low‐temperature driving range.

As a sub‐function of the smart brake system, the comfort regenerative braking system (CRBS) can efficiently recover the braking energy of the whole vehicle.

Ergonomically designed sports seats and headrests comprise vegan leather – seating provided for five. Heated front seats have a six‐way electric adjustment for the driver and a four‐way electric adjustment for the front passenger.

The 60/40 split rear seats provide plenty of legroom and can be folded flat to allow for up to 1310 litres of boot storage (345 litres with seats up).

The Dolphin has a six‐year/150,000km new vehicle warranty with six‐year roadside assistance package, while the cobalt-free, lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) Blade Battery is covered by an eight-year/160,000km (whichever comes first) warranty.

Click here for more information.