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By Jonathan Crouch

The BYD Dolphin aims to revitalise the segment for small EV hatches. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 36

Chinese maker BYD gets serious about the British market with this small EV hatch, the Dolphin. It looks better value and more practical than the established class alternatives. And there are a few quirky touches too.

Backgroundword count: 134

It's about time we had a wider range of more affordable supermini-sized EVs and at last, it looks like the choice is widening. Here's the BYD Dolphin, a cheerily named contender to take on established class favourites like the Vauxhall Corsa Electric and the Peugeot E-208. The Dolphin slots in just above the compact Atto 2 Crossover in the Chinese maker's range. Keeping with the marine theme, BYD also has larger Seal and Sealion models. But Dolphins are our focus here. What's this one like? Let's see. This of course is just the start of BYD's product offensive, overseen by a UK dealer network that'll grow hugely in the coming years. By then, we may also be seeing this Shenzhen-based company's Yangwang premium EV brand, which will bring us luxury sports cars and SUVs.

Driving Experienceword count: 267

BYD now offers two quite different drivetrains for this Dolphin. This car is most familiar as an EV - and in electric form, it's now only offered with a 60.4kWh battery paired to a front-mounted 204PS motor with 310Nm of torque. The car dispatches 62mph in just 7s and offers a WLTP-rated range of 265 miles. The alternative is the Dolphin G DM-i, a Plug-in Hybrid offering a range of up to 621 miles on a full charge with a full tank of petrol. Go for the EV version and you get a battery featuring a uniquely-dense 'Blade'-style construction. Underneath the car is the same modular 'e-Platform 3.0' chassis used by the brand's larger Atto 3 and Seal models. And, like all EVs, this one makes a noise at low speeds. The difference here though, is that you can alter the sort of low-speed noise it makes - either a conventional ambient hum or, more joyfully, a sound like a tinkling ice cream van. Which you'll either find endearing or annoying. Don't expect anything particularly dynamically engaging on the move, but multi-link rear suspension is fitted above base trim and the Dolphin EV does give you four drive modes - 'Sport', 'Normal', 'Snow' and 'Eco' - which alter throttle response and steering weight. You'll need 'Sport' of course to make the car feel in any way energetic. Or to approach the modest top speed of 99mph; that's for most models; the base 'Active' version manages just 93mph. Across the line-up, expect the usual impressive EV refinement. And ride quality tuned appropriately for comfort, rather than careering about.

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