BYD is preparing to debut the compact Dolphin G hatchback with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, and its premiere in Europe may take place earlier than in the Chinese market. According to specialized publications, the company decided to expand the European line of electrified models with a PHEV version of the already well-known electric Dolphin.
According to BYD Vice President Stella Li, the Dolphin G was originally designed with Europe in mind, and not as an adaptation of a Chinese model. This approach has already been used with the Atto 2 DM-i hybrid, which first appeared outside of China. In Europe, the Dolphin G will compete with the Volkswagen Golf GTE and Toyota Prius, complementing the all-electric Dolphin and meeting the demand for compact hybrid hatchbacks.
It is expected that the Dolphin G will receive a PHEV unit based on a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and a front electric motor with support for sequential and parallel modes. A similar system on the Atto 2 DM-i develops 193 kW, consumes about 1.8 liters per 100 km and allows you to travel up to 90 km on electric power. The model is planned to be produced at the BYD plant in Hungary, where the new Dolphin G may later join the Dolphin Surf and Atto 2.