- BYD Dolphin G DM-i set to launch in June 2026
- UK’s first plug-in hybrid supermini
- Similar in size to a Renault Clio or VW Polo
- PHEV powertrain brings 621 miles of combined range
- Expected to cost from under £20,000
Say hello to the UK’s first plug-in hybrid supermini - the incoming BYD Dolphin G DM-i.
We’ve seen a rash of new models from Chinese mega-manufacturers BYD in the last few months, from the plug-in hybrid BYD Atto 2 DM-i to the Sealion 5 DM-i (again, another PHEV).
And now BYD is putting one of its ‘Super Hybrid’ systems into a hatchback, in what will be a first for the supermini category in the UK.
With prices set to start at less than £20,000, the Dolphin G DM-i is also poised to become the cheapest PHEV going.
It also joins BYD's wider 'Dolphin' family - you can already lease the fully electric Dolphin and Dolphin Surf.
Here’s what we know so far.
Is the BYD Dolphin G DM-i a plug-in hybrid?
Yes, the Dolphin G DM-i is a compact plug-in hybrid hatchback that’s set to put the cat amongst the pigeons when it comes to rivals like the Renault Clio, VW Polo and Vauxhall Corsa.
There’s no confirmation just yet, but the smart money says the Dolphin G DM-i will get the same set-up as the BYD Atto 2 DM-i (a slightly larger SUV).
So, you can expect a 1.5-litre petrol engine (which acts as a generator for the electric side of the powertrain) working in tandem with a battery (likely up to 18 kWh) to offer a combined range of up to 621 miles.
The Atto 2 gets power of up to 212 PS and a 0-62mph time of 7.5 seconds, so you can expect the smaller and lighter Dolphin G DM-i to be a bit nippier.
What’s the electric driving range of the BYD Dolphin G DM-i?
Again, nothing is confirmed just yet but if you take the BYD Atto 2 DM-i as a yard stick, you could enjoy an EV driving range of around 90 miles (with the larger 18 kWh battery) or 30-ish miles (with a smaller 7.8 kWh battery).
BYD will confirm those stats in the coming weeks.
How big is the BYD Dolphin G DM-i?
The BYD Dolphin G DM-i measures 4.16m long and 1.825m wide.
That’s bang on supermini territory - so think Renault Clio, Vauxhall Corsa and VW Polo - and also compares with cars like the Jeep Avenger and Fiat Grande Panda.
While some of those rivals are available with hybrid powertrains, PHEVs are unheard of in the sector (you’d need to jump up to the likes of the VW Golf or Audi A3) and so the Dolphin G DM-i is a bit of a game-changer.
The BYD Dolphin G DM-i will go on sale across European markets in the coming weeks, with the first deliveries expected to reach customers by the end of the summer.
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