The BYD Seagull, a top-selling electric vehicle in China, is now being introduced to European markets as the BYD Dolphin Surf. The vehicle has undergone some significant upgrades to make it more suitable for European audiences, including a longer body, revised bumpers, and improved powertrain and battery options. The Dolphin Surf will be available in three trims: Active, Boost, and Comfort, with the top trim featuring a 156 horsepower motor and a 43.2 kWh battery.
The upgrades to the Dolphin Surf include a more powerful motor, with the base trim featuring an 87 horsepower motor and the top trim featuring a 156 horsepower motor. The battery options have also been improved, with the base trim featuring a 30 kWh battery and the top two trims featuring a 43.2 kWh battery. The vehicle’s charging capability has also been upgraded, with the onboard AC charger increasing from 6.6 kW to 11 kW and the max DC fast charging speed increasing from 40 kW to 65 kW on the base trim and 85 kW on the top trims.
The Dolphin Surf also features some notable upgrades to its interior and features, including rear seats that split and fold, and improved charging capabilities. The vehicle’s range has also been improved, with the top trim able to travel up to 200 miles on a single charge. This puts the Dolphin Surf in competition with other small electric vehicles in Europe, such as the Dacia Spring and the Fiat Grande Panda EV.
The introduction of the Dolphin Surf to European markets is significant, as it marks BYD’s entry into the competitive European electric vehicle market. The company’s aggressive pricing strategy, with the base trim starting at around $11,000, could potentially disrupt the market and put pressure on traditional Western OEMs to respond. However, it’s worth noting that the EU may implement pricing minimums on imported Chinese EVs, which could affect the Dolphin Surf’s pricing.
Overall, the BYD Dolphin Surf is an impressive and feature-rich electric vehicle that is well-suited to European markets. Its competitive pricing, improved powertrain and battery options, and notable upgrades to its interior and features make it a strong contender in the European electric vehicle market. With deliveries set to start in June, it will be interesting to see how the Dolphin Surf performs in the market and whether traditional Western OEMs will be able to respond to BYD’s aggressive entry into the European market.