JAKARTA - Chinese carmaker BYD is preparing a new move to expand its electrification portfolio in Europe. The company is reportedly developing the Dolphin G, a plug-in hybrid hatchback.
This model was originally designed specifically for the European market, not the result of adaptation from the model that was first marketed in China. Citing Autocar, Wednesday, December 17, BYD vice president Stella Li, said the Dolphin G will be BYD's first model developed with a full focus on the needs of European consumers.
The car is scheduled to launch next year and is expected to follow a similar strategy to the Atto 2 DM-i, which was first introduced in Europe before entering the domestic market. The Dolphin G will fill the compact plug-in hybrid hatchback segment and is positioned as a direct competitor to established models such as the Volkswagen Golf GTE and Toyota Prius.
His presence also complements the pure electric version of the BYD Dolphin, which has already been marketed in Europe. Where, targeting consumers who want electrification efficiency with the flexibility of conventional engines.
Although its official debut is still a few months away, reports say the Dolphin G will share plug-in hybrid technology with the Atto 2 DM-i, which is based on the Yuan Up model in China. In terms of dimensions, it is estimated to be around 4.3 meters long with a width of close to 1.8 meters, a size that is in line with European compact hatchback standards.
For the drive system, the Dolphin G is said to rely on a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine combined with an electric motor on the front wheel. This system supports series and parallel hybrid modes.
As an illustration, Atto 2 DM-i is capable of generating a combined power of up to 193 kilowatts, fuel consumption of around 1.8 liters per 100 kilometers, and pure electric range of up to 90 kilometers. However, BYD has not released official performance data for the Dolphin G.
Stella Li emphasized that the development of the Dolphin G was based on the needs of the European market. According to him, compact plug-in hybrid hatchbacks do not have a significant demand in China, so BYD chose to focus its development on European consumers who still see this technology as a transition solution towards full electrification.
In line with its long-term strategy, BYD is also preparing to start local production in Europe through its factory in Hungary starting next year. Initial production will include the Dolphin Surf and Atto 2, while the Dolphin G is expected to follow in the next phase.
This approach mimics the Atto 2 DM-i strategy that was first marketed in Europe before being introduced in China, as reported by CarNewsChina. In the European market, the Dolphin G will strengthen BYD's growing line of plug-in hybrids, including the Seal U DM-i, Seal 6 DM-i, and Atto 2 DM-i, as well as Denza-branded models such as the four-wheel drive B5 and Z9 GT.
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