The All-New BYD Dolphin: The Compact Electric CUV Set to Make Waves in Vietnam

At the “BYD Week – Technology Green Future” event held from June 15 to 19, Chinese automaker BYD showcased three upcoming electric vehicles for the Vietnamese market: the Seal, Dolphin, and Atto 3. Among these, the BYD Dolphin attracted the most attention due to its affordable price tag, making it accessible to young customers. While the official pricing for the Dolphin in Vietnam has not yet been announced, it is expected to fall between 500 and 700 million VND. In Thailand, this CUV is priced at approximately 480 to 590 million VND.

The BYD Dolphin has dimensions of 4,150 x 1,770 x 1,570 mm (length x width x height) and a wheelbase of 2,700 mm. In Vietnam, this Chinese-branded electric vehicle will compete directly with the VinFast VF 6 and MG 4.

The Dolphin is built on BYD’s self-developed e-platform 3.0, a dedicated platform for electric vehicles. This platform optimizes space and enhances maneuverability, moving away from the bulky frames of traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.

Additionally, BYD’s exclusive Blade Battery technology features a unique structure of thin, stacked battery leaves, optimizing battery size and weight. Made of aluminum, these batteries are lighter, have better heat resistance, and do not produce smoke or explode, even when punctured.

The Blade Battery in the BYD Dolphin has a capacity of 44.9 kWh, offering a range of approximately 405 km on a single charge. This range is ideal for daily commutes, weekend getaways, and longer trips. With an average urban driving speed of 50-60 km/h, this range translates to 6-8 hours of continuous driving. The vehicle also supports fast DC charging, allowing a 30-80% charge in just 30 minutes. It can also be conveniently charged using domestic electrical outlets, taking around 7-8 hours for a full charge.

In Vietnam, the BYD Dolphin is configured with a front-wheel-drive electric motor, delivering 94 horsepower and 180 Nm of torque. In its home market of China, a higher-spec variant is available with an output of 204 horsepower. However, BYD has no plans to introduce this version to Vietnam at this time.

The BYD Dolphin boasts a compact yet dynamic CUV-hatchback design. It features LED headlights with auto on/off functionality, LED taillights, electrically adjustable and heated side mirrors, and a distinctive LED taillight bar stretching across the tailgate. The vehicle rides on stylish 17-inch wheels.

A standout feature of the Dolphin’s interior is its 12.8-inch central touchscreen infotainment system, which can rotate between landscape and portrait orientations with the press of a button. This system supports voice commands and offers Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto connectivity. Other notable features include a 5-inch LCD instrument cluster, a six-speaker audio system, a multifunctional leather-wrapped steering wheel, and two USB ports in the front and one in the rear. However, the vehicle only offers manually adjustable seats without memory functions.

In terms of safety, the BYD Dolphin is equipped with six airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, traction control (TCS), a 360-degree camera, intelligent stop technology, seatbelt reminders, and adaptive cruise control, among other features.

The BYD Dolphin, along with the Seal and Atto 3, will be available in the second half of this year. In October, BYD plans to launch three additional models: the Han, Tang, and Song, bringing their total number of vehicles in Vietnam to six.

According to a BYD representative, the company intends to commence construction of a local assembly plant by the end of next year. This development promises an expanded range of BYD and subsidiary brand vehicles (such as Dezda, Yangwang, and Fang Cheng Bao) in Vietnam, accompanied by competitive pricing.

Here are some images of the BYD Dolphin in Vietnam:

Thai Son (Tuoitrethudo)