HIGHLIGHTS
- The all‐new BYD DOLPHIN is arriving soon in New Zealand, joining the popular BYD ATTO 3 model in the BYD Auto NZ line‐up
- The BYD DOLPHIN is a C‐segment hatchback
- This is the first model in the Ocean series and the first to adopt the ‘Ocean Aesthetics’ design concept
- Two model variants are differentiated by colour scheme and battery size: range of up to 340 km WLTP for the standard range (45kWh battery) and up to 427 km WLTP for the extended range (60kWh battery)
- Standard models feature block colour, extended models feature unique two‐tone colour.
- Equipped with Vehicle to Load (VTOL) technology for ease of charging and using external devices
- Pricing starts from $49,990 +orc for Standard and $55,990 for the Extended & a Clean Car Rebate of $7,015* applies to both variants
- Pre‐orders are open from 5th June from your local BYD NZ Dealership, with deliveries from September 2023
Following on from a successful 2022 when the BYD debuted in New Zealand with the ATTO 3, BYD Auto NZ says it is excited to welcome the All‐New BEV DOLPHIN to its line‐up.
“We are delighted to announce the launch of another ground‐breaking BYD vehicle in New Zealand,” says Warren Willmot, BYD NZ Auto’s Manager. “Following on from the launch of the BYD brand into NZ mid last year with New Zealand’s most awarded EV, the ATTO 3, we are stepping it up a gear by presenting another innovative vehicle that features cutting‐edge electric vehicle technology, premium features, and a high level of standard equipment. We are thrilled to be able to offer another choice to NZ consumers in a volume-driven market segment.”
The BYD DOLPHIN is the first model in the “Ocean” series and the first to adopt the “Ocean Aesthetics” design concept providing a dynamic, stylish, and highly recognisable visual symbol. In the car’s design, the DOLPHIN, is presented in both figurative and imaginative forms says BYD.
2023 BYD DOLPHIN: Design
The interior of the BYD DOLPHIN is designed to create the illusion that the occupants are wrapped in waves. BYD claims that by placing conventional functions at your fingertips, the dashboard’s simple and refined design provides an innovative human‐machine interaction experience. Less space is consumed by physical buttons, allowing for more storage space.
The heated front seats have a six‐way electric adjustment for the driver and a four‐way electric adjustment for the front passenger. The 60/40 Split rear seats provide legroom for passengers and can be folded flat to allow for up to 1,310 litres of boot storage (345 litres with seats up).
The BYD DOLPHIN also features a large panoramic sunroof made of high‐strength acoustic and thermally insulated double‐layer grey glazing, with a glass area comparable to that of a D‐class luxury car. This provides users with an ultra‐wide‐angle view and a larger light area. It is also equipped with a 97% sunshade to keep you cool on hot summer days.
Customers can choose from four colour options for both variants – this includes Sand white, Urban grey, Coral Pink, and Maldive Purple for standard range. The extended range features a two‐tone colour combination in Ski White, Surf Blue and Coral Pink paired with an urban grey roof and an Atlantis Grey paired with a black roof.
2023 BYD DOLPHIN: Range of 340 or 427 km
The BYD DOLPHIN offers a WLTP combined electric range of 340 km’s for the standard 45kWh battery or 427km range for the extended 60kWh variant. Charging power is 6.4 kW AC. High performance is also achieved when recharging ‐ an 80 kW DC charger can replenish the battery from 30% to 80% in just 29 minutes.
A high‐efficiency integrated heat pump is standard on the BYD DOLPHIN. The industry’s first direct cooling and heating system for power batteries increases the thermal efficiency by up to 15% in the winter. This innovative system leverages the residual heat from the surroundings, the powertrain, the passenger compartment and even the batteries and can work at a wide range of temperatures. Intelligent thermal management for extreme weather conditions enables an excellent low‐ temperature driving range. As a sub‐function of the smart brake system, the CRBS coordinated regenerative braking system can efficiently recover the braking energy of the whole vehicle.
2023 BYD DOLPHIN: Blade Battery
The BYD Blade Battery also features in the BYD DOLPHIN. These batteries are housed in an exclusive safety body structure built for pure electric vehicles that can withstand the harsh punishment of the Nail Penetration Test, the ‘Mount Everest’ of battery safety tests.
BYD DOLPHIN’s cobalt‐free Blade Batteries use Lithium Iron‐Phosphate (LFP) as its cathode material, which offers a much higher level of safety than conventional lithium‐ion batteries. LFP has inherently excellent thermal stability. While being ultra‐safe and durable, the Blade Battery is uncompromising in performance, delivering high power density with the benefit of ultra‐low energy consumption.
This works in close synergy with BYD’s competency in electric powertrain technology and has a complete range of active and passive safety features, which gives it an incomparable inherent advantage in terms of safety performance.
Like the BYD ATTO 3, BYD DOLPHIN is also built on e‐Platform 3.0, benefiting from advanced Cell‐to‐ Body (CTB) technology. This means that the battery is integrated within the body floor, creating a sandwich‐like structure that incorporates the Blade Battery and the tray. The benefit of this advanced
CTB technology is that the vehicle’s body is lower for better aerodynamics while increasing body rigidity for enhanced safety, with a design that BYD says offers more cabin space due to reduced battery pack volume.
2023 BYD DOLPHIN: Technology
Technology includes a 12.8” rotating touch screen, voice integration, BYD Owners App and a full suite of Safety & Security features for extra reassurance and driver confidence.
2023 BYD DOLPHIN: Safety & Driving Assistance
The BYD DOLPHIN comes standard with a number of safety and advanced driver assistance features, including seven airbags as standard. All models feature Forward Collision Warning, Driver Fatigue Monitoring, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Rear Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Brake, Lane Departure Prevention and Emergency Lane Keeping Assist.
A brand‐new safety feature called Child Presence Detection is available in both models, this alerts the owner of a presence in the vehicle once the owner has left the vehicle.
Adaptive Cruise Control and Intelligent Cruise Control are included, and the panoramic camera provides the driver with 360‐degree visibility for safe vehicle manoeuvring. In addition, a Blind Spot Detection System, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, Hill Decent Control, Automatic Vehicle Hold, and Traffic Sign Recognition with Intelligent Speed Limit Control are included as additional driver aids.
Cutting‐edge lighting technology also provides a broader beam of light to assist visibility when driving at night, with High Beam Assist, Adaptive Front Headlights and Follow Me Home as standard.
2023 BYD DOLPHIN: Vehicle‐To‐Load as Standard
BYD DOLPHIN provides VTOL discharge back technology, which can achieve 3.3kW external discharge, allowing the BEV to become a mobile power station. This provides convenience for multiple lifestyle applications, like power tools and consumer devices.
In showrooms from September this year, the all‐electric DOLPHIN is priced from $49,990 + ORC for the standard range and $55,990 + ORC for the extended range. Both models will receive the full government clean car rebate of $7015*. The BYD DOLPHIN is also comprehensively covered by a 6‐ year / 150,000km new vehicle warranty with a 6‐year roadside assistance package, while the Blade Battery is covered by an 8 year /160,000km (whichever comes first) warranty.
Visit https://bydauto.co.nz/ to find out more about the All‐new DOLPHIN.
*True at time of release
