BYD’s made quite a name for itself—known by some as “Build Your Dream” the Chinese EV manufacturer has certainly earned its laurels in a considerable amount of time, and it’s looking to maintain its rise through the ranks. That being said, BYD recently unveiled the “Dolphin Surf,” which it describes as its most compact EV to date. Don’t let its small size fool you however, as it comes with some considerable muscle, and BYD is clearly aiming to compete with established names in the market, all while winning over new fans.
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The Dolphin Surf made its initial UK debut in London, where BYD wasted no time in showing off the vehicle’s compact dimensions and power. It’s rather small, measuring approximately 157 inches in length, 68 inches in width, and 63 inches in height, while keeping a reasonably-roomy interior. The car is equipped with six airbags including the driver side, front passenger, side curtain, and front seat side airbags. It’s also designed on using e-Platform 3.0, with a boot capacity of 308 litres (1,037 litres with the rear seats folded), and more than 20 storage components, including cup-holders and under-boot floor space.
The vehicle is also equipped with a smart in-vehicle navigation system which is accessible via a tablet interface, and offers voice command functionality for intuitive control alongside full compatibility with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Powering the Dolphin Surf is a 30kWh battery, which supports DC fast charging at up to 85kW. BYD adds that the vehicle can reach a range of up to 200 miles on a single charge, and is capable of 175Nm of torque and can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 11.1 seconds, which is fairly impressive for an EV that’s primarily marketed to urban dwellers who prioritise space-saving, without compromising on performance.
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The Dolphin Surf is also poised to be one of BYD’s more accessible EV models, with competitive pricing across its different configurations—the “Active” trim starts at £18,650, while the “Boost” trim is priced at £21,950. The top-tier “Comfort” trim meanwhile is available for £23,950, with options for financing as well. During the launch event, BYD also noted its continued growth in the European market, citing the addition of 12 new countries where buyers can purchase its vehicles. For the UK, BYD says that its cars are sold in 74 different locations across the country, with around 25,000 units on the road.
