BYD's Dolphin G DM-i is the supermini you probably haven't considered that you probably actually need, thinks Jonathan Crouch.
Ten Second Review
Here's something very rare indeed. A Plug-in Hybrid supermini - and an affordable one at that. The BYD Dolphin G DM-i is out to persuade potential customers of small hatchbacks that they don't really need an EV after all. And it might just succeed.
Background
Genius. Is that we have here? It's apparently what the 'G' in this car's name stands for. It's Chinese maker BYD's very first model developed specifically for Europe, the Dolphin G DM-i. Which is also the supermini B-segment's very first Plug-in Hybrid. Lots of firsts.
We've already had two breeds of BYD Dolphin, both full-EVs. First, the slightly larger Dolphin family hatch; and second the Dolphin Surf citycar. The Dolphin G sits in between and uses the 'Super Hybrid' PHEV technology we've already seen the company similarly sized Atto 2 DM-i small SUV. Let's take a closer look.
Driving Experience
The 'Genius'-designating tag letter used here might sound like marketing hyperbole or exaggeration. But it's easy to underestimate what a feat it is to produce a Plug-in Hybrid drivetrain that's sophisticated enough to work like an EV; but so affordable to produce that it doesn't drive the price of a supermini beyond reasonable bounds. None of BYD's mainstream rivals have ever managed this, but the Chinese maker has pulled off that challenge here with some style.
Of course, the DM-I 'Super Hybrid' engine in question isn't only used on this Dolphin G. We've also seen it in this size of car with the Atto 2 small SUV - though in the case of the Dolphin G it's an evolved 5.0 version of that design, which is claimed to be more efficient. 'DM-i' stands for 'Dual Mode intelligent' and, as with the Atto 2, there are a couple of variants of this 1.5-litre petrol drivetrain which on its own offers 95PS before you start adding in electric motor power. The entry level 176PS Active variant uses a 7.2kWh battery offering a modest EV range of 25 miles. Ideally, you'd stretch to the 212PS Comfort version, which has a much larger 18.3kWh battery pack and a properly usable 65 mile EV range that would allow most owners to use their Dolphin G much like an electric car.
With this PHEV powertrain, the four cylinder engine is rarely the thing that's driving the front wheels through the car's continuously variable e-CVT auto transmission. Instead, most of the time it acts as a generator for the 'Blade'-style lithium-ion battery pack, enabling the main 163PS electric motor to undertake most of the propulsion duties.
The driver can choose to drive in EV or Hybrid modes. 0-62mph takes 8.3s, en route to 112mph. And things are quiet in EV mode; you can hear the engine when it chimes in, but it's not obtrusive. The 1.555kg kerb weight is on the high side for a car of this size, but the rudimentary torsion beam suspension set-up handles the bulk well enough. And for urban use, there's quite a tight 5.5-metre turning circle. Out of town, expect body roll to be well-controlled thanks to the way the Blade battery is incorporated into the structure of the car. As usual with a BYD, there are some annoying ADAS drive assist functions you'll want to switch off.
Design and Build
This is a third quite different kind of BYD Dolphin, apparently 'made for Europe' (it's not on sale in the marque's core Chinese or South American markets). It will be some time though, before the G is actually made in Europe at the company's Hungarian plant. Size-wise, think Corsa supermini, reflected by the 4,160mm length, which is 170mm longer than the Dolphin Surf citycar and 130mm shorter than the Dolphin EV family hatch.
The front end features the latest evolution in BYD's 'ocean-influenced' design, with soft curves and neat integration of the Super Hybrid powertrain's air intakes in the lower bumper, along with sharper near-vertical creases towards the edges, strengthening the look and making the car appear wider.
Along the sides there's a single shoulder line that rises from the front wing towards the tail, and clean lower-door surfacing that helps to 'pinch' the car's visible waistline. There's also an interesting 'kick' motif after the rear-door shut line, playing with the C-pillar to create a sense of upwards movement and draw attention to the 'floating' roof design. The alloy wheels - 16-inch on Active and Boost, 18-inch dual-tone on Comfort and 18-inch gloss-black on Sport - all aim to give the Dolphin G a more dynamic look. At the rear, there's a full-width bar housing the BYD badging and LED tail-lights, as well as a sculpted lower bumper and a subtle roof spoiler that also houses the third brake light.
Inside, the focus is on space, simplicity and ease of use. The dashboard has clean horizontal lines designed to increase the visual width, with vents for the automatic air conditioning integrated at either corner. The 8.8-inch digital instrument panel is incorporated into the sweeping cross-dashboard lines, while the infotainment screen (either 10.1-inches or 12.8-inches in size) sits proud of the fascia for easy access. The gear selector is mounted on the steering column, freeing up space between the front seats for a dual-level storage area, complete with a cubbyhole divider and a cup holder and, on most versions, a wireless smartphone-charging pad. A simple line of buttons at the base of the dashboard controls key functions like the windscreen demister and the vehicle driving modes.
Clever packaging and a wheelbase measuring 2,610mm - longer than any of the DOLPHIN G DM-i's conventionally powered rivals - delivers what BYD claims is best-in-class packaging, with space for five adults and a boot capacity approaching what you'd get from most full-sized family hatchbacks from the class above, at 425-litres, including a 45-litre compartment beneath the floor. This total can be expanded to 1225-litres by folding down the 40:60-split rear seats, and the boot sides feature fixed hooks for keeping shopping bags secure.
Market and Model
BYD wants to price this Plug-in Hybrid Dolphin G DM-i model at around the same level as conventionally-powered supermini models, hence the £24,000-£29,500 price range being aimed at here.
There's a choice of three core trim levels and an extra Sport edition that adds a distinctive look to the range-topping version. The line-up starts with Active, which features the smaller 7.42kWh Blade Battery. It sits on 16-inch alloy wheels and features front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera and LED headlights, tail-lights and daytime-running lights. Plus the brand's usual long list of ADAS drive assist features.
Inside, features include a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with intelligent voice control and smartphone integration (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), an 8.8-inch digital instrument panel, auto air conditioning, fabric upholstery, six- and four-way adjustability on the driver's and front passenger's seats respectively, and a pair of front USB ports.
Moving up to Boost level switches the Blade Battery to a larger 18.3kWh capacity. This version gets a larger 12.8-inch infotainment screen and brings heating on the front seats and steering wheel, auto dimming on the rear-view mirror, electrically folding side mirrors, multi-coloured ambient cabin lighting, a 15W wireless smartphone-charging pad, rear air vents, rear USB charging ports and a more powerful eight-speaker audio system.
Boost also introduces Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), another clever feature for the supermini class that allows external devices - everything from a coffee machine or a laptop to fairy lights or even a portable grill - to be powered away from home.
The plush Dolphin G DM-i Comfort introduces more high-end features. These include a widescreen head-up display, a panoramic roof with electrically adjustable sunshade, exterior-mirror 'puddle lights', a mix of fabric and vegan leather upholstery, electric adjustment and electrically adjustable lumbar support on the driver's seat, and a 360-degree-view camera, along with larger 18-inch alloy wheels. The infotainment system is also upgraded with Google integration, bringing Google maps and Google assistant, plus the ability to install additional applications like games and media streaming services.
Finally, the Dolphin G DM-i Sport builds on Comfort specification with discreet badging, a darker style of 18-inch alloy wheels and a unique two-tone cabin treatment, complete with a motorsport-style suede finish on the seat panels.
Cost of Ownership
Obviously the efficiency figures you get dependent massively on which of the PHEV drivetrains you choose, how you drive and how often you're likely to plug the car in. Let's focus on the best possible scenario. You've stretched to the larger-battery 18.3kWh version; you almost never top 65 miles a day (in which case you'll never need petrol); and on your rare long trips, you'll enjoy a driving range (including a full charge) of up to 646 miles.
The official combined cycle fuel figure and CO2 stat for the larger-battery model is rated at 201.7mpg and 32g/km (it's 108.6mpg and 60g/km for the smaller-battery version), but what you'll actually probably get is likely to be comparable to a really frugal small diesel. Or perhaps a similarly-sized Toyota Yaris - though that pricier Toyota isn't a PHEV, so can't replicate this BYD's ability to run purely on EV power for significant distances.
Overall, it should all mean that for regular suburban trips, you ought to be able to treat this car pretty much like a full-EV. Yet have the convenience of an integrated combustion engine for longer trips that won't be blighted by 'range anxiety'.
The 7.42kWh version AC-charges at 3.3kW; the 18.3kWh variant AC-charges at 6.6kW - and is the only version that can DC-charge, at up to 39kW. AC charging time from 15-100% using a 6.6kW single-phase home wallbox is just under 3 hours for the 18.3kWh model - which needs 26 minutes for a 10-80% DC charge.
Like the Atto 2 DM-i, the Dolphin G has V2L technology, so small devices can be plugged into the car's drive battery. As usual with BYD, there's a warranty that lasts for six years or 150,000km (that's 93,206 miles).
Summary
If you're about to sign for a supermini EV, we'd counsel you to hold off and check out this Dolphin G DM-i before you do. Right here, right now, it might be a cleverer choice. How often will the suburban trips you're likely to undertake in a small car of this kind take you more than 65 miles a day? If the answer is not very often at all, as we suspect, then this BYD makes a lot of sense, ready and waiting as it is with a combustion engine for the occasional longer journeys that would potentially be a hassle with an EV.
So the best of both worlds? Potentially yes. It's not particularly exciting package but is a supremely rational one. That 'Genius' tag might even be appropriate after all.
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