Build Your Dreams (BYD) may not be that big a name in the Indian automobile market yet, but the company is one of the leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers across the globe. The Chinese brand set foot in India a couple of years ago and currently retails two models– E6 and Atto 3, the former reserved only for fleet operators.
The company now wants to establish a wider footprint in the country by introducing more such battery-powered vehicles. A few months back, BYD filed trademark applications for Seal which is expected to make its way to the Indian market sometime later this year. Now, the carmaker has registered trademarks for Dolphin and Dolphin Mini in India.
BYD Dolphin EV: What to expect?
BYD Dolphin is the carmaker’s entry-level model in the company’s global lineup and currently on sale in markets like Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Thailand, Malaysia, Brazil, Japan and China. Dolphin, along with Seal and Seagull, fall under BYD’s Ocean lineup. The electric crossover measures 4.29 metre in length and upon launch in India compete against the likes of Tata Curvv EV and Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Dolphin measures 1,770 mm in width, and 1,570 mm in height and offers a wheelbase of 2,700 mm long. It gets a 345-litre boot space, which can be expanded to 1,310 litres courtesy 60:40 split rear seats. Overall, exterior design is simple and uncomplicated with a minimalist theme.
The minimalist theme is carried over inside the cabin as well flaunting a multi-layered dashboard which is dominated by a massive 12.8-inch rotatable touchscreen infotainment setup. Red accents around the seat upholstery give the cabin a sporty contrasting appeal.
BYD offers Dolphin with two LFP battery pack options— 44.9 kWh and 60.48 kWh. The India-spec model is expected to come equipped with the latter which offers a peak range of 427 km (WLTP) on a single charge. This battery delivers energy to an electric motor mounted on the front axle which churns out 201 bhp and 290 Nm of torque.
BYD Dolphin Mini: What to expect?
Besides Dolphin, BYD has also filed trademark applications for ‘Dolphin Mini’. There is no such model listed on BYD’s website, so there’s a good chance that this will be BYD’s brand new offering developed for the Indian market. With the ‘Mini’ suffix added to the name, it can be understood that it will be slotted below the Dolphin. In all probability, it will be a smaller, entry-level electric crossover hatch rivalling the likes of Punch EV and Citroen eC3.
