Chinese EV maker BYD has unveiled the Dolphin G DM-i, a B-segment hatchback built specifically for Europe, offering up to 65 miles (104.6km) of pure-electric range.
The model is the first BYD vehicle designed with Europe as the primary market.
It delivers a weighted fuel consumption figure of up to 201.7miles per gallon and a total driving range of up to 646 miles on a full charge and full tank of petrol.
A B-segment hatchback, called a supermini in Europe and a subcompact in the US, is a small car category that typically ranges from 3.7m to 4.1m in length.
BYD executive vice president Stella Li said: “The European B-segment is one of the most important parts of the market, and with Dolphin G DM-i, we want to redefine what customers can expect from a compact car in the electric era.
“By bringing long electric range, intelligent hybrid technology and advanced digital features into an accessible compact vehicle, we are making sustainable mobility smarter, more practical and available to many more people across Europe.”
Sitting in the core European supermini segment with five-seat capacity, the hatchback has an overall length of 4,160mm, a width of 1,825mm and a 2,610mm wheelbase.
Power comes from a combination of a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous electric motor producing 163PS (120kW) and 210Nm of torque.
The result is a 0–62mph sprint time of 8.3 seconds.
According to the company, the Dolphin G DM-i will be available in four trim levels — Active, Boost, Comfort and Sport — each differentiated by battery size and charging capability.
The entry-level Active trim carries a 7.42kWh Blade Battery with 24.8 miles of WLTP combined electric range and a total range of 633 miles.
The remaining three trims are fitted with an 18.3kWh Blade Battery, which extends electric range to 65 miles, raises combined range to 646 miles and reduces CO₂ emissions to 32g/km.
On charging, Active models are limited to 3.3kW AC charging, while Boost, Comfort and Sport variants support both 6.6kW AC and 39kW DC charging — the latter enabling a 10–80% charge in 26 minutes.
European dealers are expected to begin taking orders ahead of the summer holidays, with first customer deliveries scheduled for early autumn.
