Peter Lyon
July 31, 2023
Last week, BYD unveiled its new Dolphin—the brand’s second electric vehicle (EV) to be introduced in Malaysia—after the Atto 3 some seven months ago. The ‘Dynamic Standard Range’ entry-level choice has a suggested retail price of RM99,900, and is the first model in BYD’s Ocean series. The RM124,900 Premium Extended Range, arrives a little later.
The Dolphin is fully imported from China and is eligible for the government’s continuous EV incentives (exemption from import duty, excise duty, and road tax) till the end of 2025.
This new EV is the second-cheapest EV you can buy in Malaysia, behind the RM99,800 Neta V. The factory warranty for each Dolphin is six years or 150,000 km, and the battery warranty is eight years or 160,000 kilometres. It also has a separate warranty for the drive unit of eight years or 150,000 kms which covers the motor, motor controller, DC assembly, and electric control assembly.
Both Dolphin grades employ the brand’s highly rated Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery with an electric motor that propels the front wheels. The Dynamic Standard Range trim gets a 44.92kWh battery which BYD claims delivers around or 340 km (WLTP).
In comparison, the Premium Extended Range, employs a larger 60.48 kWh battery with range claimed at 427 km (WLTP). Powered by an electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 310 Nm of torque, the Dolphin will sprint from zero to 100km/h in seven seconds. The entry-level model takes 12.3 seconds.
The Premium trim incorporates a higher maximum DC fast charging (CCS2) capacity of 80 kW compared to 60 kW for the base-level Dynamic grade. Another common feature of the Dolphin is vehicle-to-load (V2L), which enables owners to power electrical devices such as appliances like coffee machines, and laptops as long as they don’t exceed the maximum output of 3.2 kW.
Smaller than the Atto 3, the Dolphin measures 4,290 mm long, 1,770 mm wide, 1,570 mm height, and employs a 2,700 mm wheelbase. That makes it almost the same size as the Honda City Hatchback, but the BYD EV is visibly higher by 82 mm and has a wheelbase that is 100 mm longer than Honda’s hatchback.
Both trim levels get loads of standard equipment and safety features
Both versions employ standard equipment that includes automatic LED headlamps with High Beam Assist, LED taillights, LED daytime running lights, electrically heated and adjustable side mirrors, keyless entry and start, automatic air conditioning with a PM2.5 air filter, a five-inch digital instrument cluster, synthetic leather upholstery, a 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment system, wired Apple CarPlay support, navigation, six speakers, and an electronic park brake.
For the additional RM25,000 over the Dynamic model, the Premium trim gets a panoramic glass roof, a wireless phone charger, powered front seats with ventilation function, and rear LED reading lights.
As opposed to the base option’s 16-inch alloy wheels with 195/60 profile tyres, it has larger 17-inch alloy wheels with 205/50 profile tyres. The chassis is equipped with front MacPherson struts, a rear multi-link system on the top model, and a torsion beam on the base model. And the flagship model also employs one-inch larger 17-inch alloys and a rear multi-link setup for better handling.
In terms of safety though, both models are almost identical and feature ABS, ESC, traction control, EBD, six airbags, a tyre pressure monitoring system, parking sensors (two front, three rear), a 360-degree camera, and a door open alert.
Keeping features up to date, the Dolphin also gets autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with braking support, lane departure prevention, emergency lane keeping assist, predictive collision warning, rear collision warning, and lane change collision warning.
OUR THOUGHTS
BYD’s Dolphin will no doubt be one of the hot new EVs on the market thanks to its combination of fresh unique looks, just-the-right-size dimensions, competitive range, safety features and affordable pricing. If the purse strings allow it, we’d recommend opting for the Premium spec with its longer range, better handling, quicker charging system and more premium cabin features.
