BYD has launched the new Dolphin Surf in Ireland, which is competitively priced from €17,985. This puts it up against the Dacia Spring, Hyundai Inster and the forthcoming Leapmotor T03 in the small, sub-€20k electric vehicle market.
The Dolphin Surf arrives here with international recognition, having been voted 'World Urban Car of the Year' at this year’s World Car of the Year Awards. In addition, the BYD Dolphin Surf has just been awarded a five-star safety rating in the latest round of tests by Euro NCAP.
The Dolphin Surf will be available here in three model variants: 'Active', 'Boost' and 'Comfort'. Prices - inclusive of grants and subsidies - for the BYD Dolphin Surf begin from €17,985 for the entry-level 'Active' model, increasing to €22,230 for the mid-range 'Boost' model, to €24,113 for the 'Comfort' version.
A compact, all-electric, four-door, four-seater vehicle, the Dolphin Surf is styled in BYD’s familiar ‘Ocean’ design language and fitted with a spacious and practical interior equipped with BYD’s trademark array of standard specifications and all-inclusive features.
Powered by a choice of battery packs: 30kWh (Active ), 43.2kWh (Boost ), and 115kWh (Comfort ), with 0-100km/h acceleration speeds from a low 9.1 seconds to 12.1 seconds depending on model choice, it has a driving range quoted at 322kms WLTP. Also quoted is a 10-80 per cent DC charging speed of 30 minutes.
The Dolphin Surf is equipped with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L ) technology which allows devices to be powered by the car’s own battery, at up to 3.3kW.
Bonnet-to-boot, fitments include driver assistance and other passenger comfort, infotainment, connectivity, and high-tech aids that include intuitive voice control, via a ‘Hi BYD’ command, that allows motorists access to many key functions without taking their hands off the steering wheel.
A smartphone sensor on the side mirror unlocks the vehicle via Near Field Communication (NFC ) keyless entry, whilst the BYD application on a smartphone can cool or warm the cabin in advance.
Standard boot capacity is 308-litres, extendable to 1,037-litres when rear seats are folded, and further enhanced by a total of 20 storage areas dotted throughout the vehicle. Measuring 3,990mm long, 1,720mm wide, 1,590mm tall, with a 2,500mm wheelbase, its dimensions and agile handling make it an appealing choice for urban motorists.
Interior elements include two dash-mounted displays: one that delivers key information to the driver, the other a large rotatable multimedia infotainment touchscreen. All models have ISOFIX anchor points, front and rear.
As with all BYD models, a six-years manufacturer’s warranty and an eight years battery and electric motor warranty applies to all Dolphin Surf models.
