BYD announced on August 13 that the Dolphin, the first model of its e-Platform 3.0, is officially available for pre-order, with a price range of RMB 96,800 ($15,000) to RMB 124,800 after subsidies.
The Dolphin is also the first model in BYD's ocean lineup, using the ocean aesthetic design concept for the first time, and the first model with BYD's new logo.
The e-Platform 3.0 was unveiled by BYD at the Shanghai auto show on April 19 to create the next generation of high-performance intelligent electric vehicles. BYD said its key modules are smaller, lighter, more capable, and consume less energy.
Positioned as an all-electric compact car, the Dolphin looks a bit like the Honda Fit and offers a choice of seven exterior colors.
The model is available in four versions, with the least expensive version having a range of 301 kilometers and a price of RMB 96,800 after subsidies. It has a power battery capacity of 30.7 kWh.
The two versions in the middle of the price range both have a range of 405 km and are priced at RMB 106,800 and RMB 111,800 respectively. The power battery capacity is 44.9kWh.
The highest-priced version, at RMB 124,800, has a range of 401 km and a battery capacity of 44.9 kWh. It has driver assistance features including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and active lane-keeping, which are not available in the other three versions.
The Dolphin is equipped with BYD's deeply integrated eight-in-one electric drive assembly with a combined system efficiency claimed to be 89 percent.
BYD claims that its heat pump system is more energy efficient for cooling and heating, and with the battery pack direct heating and cooling technology, it achieves a 20 percent increase in winter range.
The Dolphin comes standard with BYD's "blade battery", and the body-in-white uses 78.2 percent high-strength steel, with key parts made of hot-formed steel with a tensile strength of more than 1,500 MPa.
With a wheelbase of 2,700mm and a wheel length ratio of 66.3 percent, the model offers occupant space to B-class standards, according to BYD.
The Dolphin is also equipped with a 12.8-inch rotatable screen and features the DiLink 3.0 intelligent network connection system, which supports NFC car key function for cell phones.
In July, BYD's new energy passenger car sales increased 262.7 percent year-over-year, reaching 50,057 units as China's top monthly new energy passenger car sales.
BYD sold 25,061 DM series hybrid models in July, up 650.6 percent year-over-year. 24,996 EV models were sold, up 138.9 percent year-over-year.
With the addition of Dolphin to the product array, BYD's EV model sales ratio is expected to further increase.
BYD applied for the trademark of "Dolphin" at the end of last year, and is also applying for the trademarks of "Whale", "Sailfish", "Shark", "Seagull" and "Seal".
BYD's ocean car series will gradually improve the product matrix, achieve comprehensive coverage of model types and levels, and become a propellant to accelerate the process of electrification of cars, said Zhang Zhuo, general manager of BYD eNet Sales Division.
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