BYD has gone after two of the biggest fears haunting European drivers in one shot — expensive petrol and range anxiety in pure EVs. The weapon of choice is the new Dolphin G DM-i, a compact plug-in hybrid that has just hit the Spanish market from €25,200.
On the outside, it’s a textbook B-segment hatch. On the inside, it carries numbers that would make plenty of crossovers nervous. Length 4.16 m, wheelbase 2.61 m, boot of 425 litres plus another 45 litres under the floor, and up to 1,225 litres with the rear seats folded. For a city car, that’s a serious argument.
The powertrain pairs a 163 hp / 210 Nm electric motor with a 1.5-litre petrol engine rated at 95 hp. The entry-level Active gets a 7.42 kWh battery, 40 km of electric range and a combined 1,020 km of total range. Boost, Comfort and Sport step up to an 18.3 kWh pack: up to 105 km without a drop of petrol, 1,040 km combined and a quoted 1.4 litres per 100 km. A figure that’s hard to believe until you see it.
The higher trims charge on DC up to 39 kW, going from 10 to 80% in 26 minutes. There’s V2L too — the car can power external devices on its own. The kit list isn’t shy either: adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera, a head-up display, panoramic roof and built-in Google services on the upper trims.
The price gaps between versions stay tight. Active starts at €25,200, Boost goes for €28,200, Comfort costs €29,700 and Sport tops out at €30,700. First Spanish deliveries are promised by the end of the month.
The Dolphin G DM-i shows exactly how Chinese brands are squeezing Europe. It’s not just the price. They’re dragging electric range and equipment levels into the small-car class that buyers used to find one segment higher. And this, it seems, is only the start.
