BYD launches Dolphin G DM-i plug‑in hybrid in Europe, targeting compact car market

Chinese automaker BYD has officially introduced the Dolphin G DM-i in Spain, the first BYD model designed specifically for the European market. The compact hatchback, 4.16 m long, will be sold through more than a hundred official dealers in Spain with first deliveries slated for late June. It is the first plug‑in hybrid (PHEV) in the small‑car segment, combining a 1.5‑litre gasoline engine with an electric motor that delivers up to 163 hp (212 hp total in the top version). Two lithium‑iron‑phosphate batteries – 7.8 kWh and 18 kWh – give the vehicle a WLTP‑combined range of over 1,000 km.

The Dolphin G DM-i features a minimalist interior with an 8.8‑inch digital instrument cluster and a floating infotainment screen, and its cargo capacity leads its class at 425 litres. BYD aims to price the car around £20,000 (≈ €23,500), positioning it against established models such as the Volkswagen Polo, Toyota Yaris, Renault Clio and Peugeot 208. By offering a low‑cost, high‑range PHEV, BYD seeks to put pressure on traditional European brands as the continent grapples with emissions standards and rising competition from Chinese manufacturers.