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Australia’s cheapest electric vehicle – the 2023 BYD Dolphin – will be offered in two variants, plus a limited-run flagship.
Snapshot
- 2023 BYD Dolphin pricing and features
- Priced from $38,890 before on-road costs
- Limited-run Dolphin Sport flagship to arrive in 2024
Priced from $38,890 before on-road costs, the Dolphin is just $100 cheaper than the base MG 4 51kWh Excite hatchback.
While the BYD has a reduced battery capacity and driving range, it has more standard features than its Chinese arch-rival – and is equipped similarly to other internal-combustion hatchbacks.
Under the skin, the base Dolphin Dynamic has a 45kWh battery, a 340-kilometre driving range, a 70kW and 180Nm total system output, and a limited 60kW DC charge rate.
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For context, the $39,990 plus on-roads rear-wheel-drive MG 4 Excite is fitted with a 51kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a single 125kW/250Nm electric motor, for an estimated 351-kilometre driving range. It has a 117kW maximum fast-charge rate.
The BYD Dolphin Premium adds a larger 60.5kWh battery, a 427km driving range, a more-powerful 150kW/310Nm electric motor, a 7.0-second 0-100km/h sprint time, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a black-painted roof and bonnet.
BYD Australia has confirmed a more potent, limited-run Dolphin Sport “hot hatch” flagship will arrive in 2024.
It’ll be limited to 1000 units and feature a “sub-seven-second” 0-100km/h sprint time, performance tyres, unique alloy wheels, and blue-themed sports body kit trim.
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2024 BYD Dolphin Sport limited-edition
JUMP AHEAD
- 2023 BYD Dolphin pricing
- 2023 BYD Dolphin features
- Colours
- Powertrains, charging, and driving range
- Safety
- Dimensions
- Availability
2023 BYD Dolphin pricing
Prices exclude on-road costs.
| Model | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Dolphin Dynamic | $38,890 |
| Dolphin Premium | $44,890 |
| Dolphin Sport limited-edition | $49,990 |
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2023 BYD Dolphin features
| 2023 BYD Dolphin Dynamic features | |
|---|---|
| 16-inch alloy wheels | Leather-accented upholstery |
| 12.8-inch rotating infotainment system | Heated front seats |
| Wired Apple CarPlay | Heat pump |
| Satellite navigation | Adaptive LED headlights |
| Six-speaker audio system | LED tail-lights and daytime running lamps |
| Built-in voice assistant | Rear privacy glass |
| DAB+ digital radio | LED cabin lights |
| 5-inch digital instrument cluster | Heated, power-folding side mirrors |
| Four USB ports (2x USB-C, 2x USB-A) | 360-degree camera system |
| Wireless phone charger | Six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat |
| Keyless entry and push-button start | Four-way power-adjustable passenger seat |
| Portable card key | Vehicle-to-load functionality |
| Panoramic sunroof | Low-speed audible pedestrian alert |
| Climate-control air-conditioning | Tyre pressure monitoring. |
2023 BYD Dolphin Premium features
| In addition to Dynamic | |
|---|---|
| 17-inch alloy wheels | Multi-link independent rear suspension |
| Faster DC charging | Black-painted roof and bonnet. |
2023 BYD Dolphin Sport features
| In addition to Premium | |
|---|---|
| 17-inch alloy wheels (unique) | Blue exterior accents. |
| Performance-tuned powertrain | |
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Colours
| Sand white (Dynamic) | Urban grey (Dynamic) |
| Maldive purple (Dynamic) | Coral pink (Dynamic, Premium) |
| Ski white (Premium) | Surf blue (Premium) |
| Atlantis grey (Premium) | Matte grey (Sport limited-edition) |
All colours are included in the vehicle’s price.
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Powertrains, charging, and driving range
The entry-level BYD Dolphin Dynamic features a 45kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery pack, allowing for a 340-kilometre WLTP-rated driving range.
It has a 70kW and 180Nm total system output, with a claimed 12.3-second 0-100km/h time in overseas variants.
The Dynamic is limited to a 60kW DC charge rate. Under the skin, it has torsion-beam rear suspension.
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Stepping up to the BYD Dolphin Premium adds a larger 60.5kWh battery with a claimed 427km driving range. A more powerful electric motor bumps output to 150kW and 310Nm, with a 7.0-second 0-100km/h sprint time.
It features multi-link independent rear suspension and supports a faster 80kW DC charge rate.
All BYD Dolphins are front-wheel-drive, with a single electric motor mounted on the front axle.
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Safety
The BYD Dolphin has yet to be tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.
Seven airbags (dual front, side, curtain, and front-centre) are standard-fit.
| 2023 BYD Dolphin active safety features | |
|---|---|
| Autonomous emergency braking | Rear cross-traffic alert with braking |
| Adaptive cruise control | Front cross-traffic alert with braking |
| Lane-keep assist | Traffic sign recognition |
| Lane departure warning | Intelligent speed limit assist |
| Blind-spot alert | Adaptive cruise control |
| Child presence detection | Side exit assist. |
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Dimensions
The BYD Dolphin measures 4290mm long, 1770mm wide and 1570mm tall, with a 2700mm wheelbase.
2023 BYD Dolphin boot space
The BYD Dolphin has a 345-litre boot capacity, which rises to 1310L with the 60:40 split-fold second-row down.
Availability
The 2023 BYD Dolphin is available to order now.
Customer deliveries for the Dynamic and Premium are expected to commence in the third quarter of 2023. The limited-edition Sport will arrive in Australia in 2024.
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