BYD has announced a new plug-in Hybrid car called the Dolphin G DM-i. Unlike most recent plug-in Hybrid announcements, this car is not an SUV, but rather a 4.1 metre long hatchback, which is a market segment that is on the decline in a number of markets, including Mzansi. Conceived and designed for the European market mainly – with others to follow – the Dolphin G looks to bring a fresh new perspective into its segment, especially when one considered the claimed range by BYD.
Without saying anything about the plug-in Hybrid powertrain, BYD merely announced that the Dolphin G will sport that kind of propulsion system. On top of that it will achieve over 1 000km of range from both the petrol motor and the battery system. That is a first in the segment, where 800km is about as good as it gets from the likes of Volkswagen Polo.
We believe the powertrain will be based on a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine, paired with an electric motor. Alternatively they could use a REEV – range extended electric vehicle – system, which basically means the engine would only be used to recharge the battery, rather than to actually run the car itself. Regardless, the Dolphin G DM-i should probably be a car that BYD strongly considers for the Mzansi market, just to shake everything up.
