Handling by byd Dolphin Surf: an electric car at € 20,000 more modern than it looks
Byd continues its European offensive. While the brand comes for the first time from exceed Tesla in terms of sales On our continent, despite vehicles that are not so accessible as that, it is now launching a new, much more affordable model.
Thus, the Chinese electric car giant has chosen to import its smallest vehicle, called in China Seagull and which takes the name of Dolphin Surf with us. Its argument is massaged to win on our market is a price under the € 20,000 at entry -level, which places it as a rival of the next Renault Twingo E-Tech And Dacia Springor Citroën Ë-C3,, Fiat Large Electric Panda And Leapmotor T03.
This mini-taradin measures 3.99 m long in its European version with more imposing shields. Although it was launched in 2023 in China, its drawing seems older and somewhat outdated. Quite high (1.59 m) and plunged forward, the Dolphin Surf takes on supermarket carts. It must be said that this is a real car low cost which costs in China from only ¥ 69,800, or around € 8,500.
However, the Dolphin Surf hides its game well with a much more rewarding interior. Admittedly, all plastics are hard, but the materials and assemblies remain of better quality than in board European models in the same segment.
The drawing of the dashboard is worked, as well as the few physical controls, for certain guilloche. We also appreciate the fairly practical storage of his interior.
In the rear seats, the space is very large in comparison with the car template. Unlike the Dolphin Mini model sold in Brazil, the European Dolphin Surf version is however a strict four places, without the possibility of opting for a configuration with five seats.
Finally, the trunk announces a volume of 308 L (1037 l with the folded seats), not completely ridiculous, but which includes wide storage under the floor. No rear shell comes to cover this space, as the rear bench records are close to the tailgate.
An unexpected equipment level
In addition, this Dolphin Surf takes up equipment that is usually found on other models in the range, but unexpected in this segment. Thus, all versions have a central screen of 10.1 inch diagonal-always offering a rotary function having little interest in our opinion-, with an on-board navigation system, a route planner and compatibility with Android Auto and Apple Carplay in Wireless mode. The very complete interface provides access to different apps, including YouTube or video games, such as other models of the brand.
A 7 -inch diagonal screen serves as an instrumentation with a minimalist, but quite complete display.
If an induction charger of 15 W is present on the central console, an non -slip surface would have been welcome to maintain the smartphone in place.
We also find the possibility of editing virtual keys (NFC) on your smartphone, in addition to a mobile application to control certain elements remotely.
Depending on the finish levels, it is also possible to benefit from a imitation leather upholstery and heated front seats, and even with electric settings.
The allocation of driving aids is not to be outdone. In accordance with GSR2 regulations, this European version is very well equipped in this area from the entry level. An autonomous level 2 driving system is even offered, certainly not the most effective. The same applies to automatic wipers that were quite capricious during our test. We also deplore the astonishing absence of rear wipers.
A camera faces the driver and monitors his attention. His zeal, however, has enough to annoy, especially when he is criticized for looking in the mirrors or of controlling the dead angles … On the other hand, we appreciate the presence of 360 ° cameras in high-end Comfort finish, again unexpected equipment aboard a mini-city. The ultrasound sensors of parking aid are nevertheless reserved at the back of the car.
Without stories conduct
The Dolphin Surf is based on e-platform 3.0. It develops only 65 kW (88 hp) in Active and Boost versions, but climbs to 115 kW (156 hp) in Comfort version, the only one we had the opportunity to try. This power and the torque of 220 Nm quickly undermined the front axle.
The performances announced are not as dazzling as what one could have hoped for of such a powerful mini-city. The 0 to 100 km/h is thus given for a time of 9.1 s, good in absolute terms, but a Peugeot E-208 of the same power, however heavier, is slightly better (8.2 s).
The mass of Dolphin Surf is 1390 kg for the model tried (1294 kg with the smallest battery). His road behavior seems healthy and comfort is satisfactory, but our short test in the Paris region, not in the most conducive conditions, did not allow us to give us an opinion arrested on his conduct. Energy recovery at sunrise offers two levels of intensity, both quite moderate and without ever going to the stop, the crawling being imposed. All versions are limited to 150 km/h of maximum speed.
From 220 to 322 km of autonomy
In its active version at € 19,990, which allows it to announce rents from € 199/month for rent, the byd Dolphin Surf therefore has a 65 kW engine and a Blade LFP battery cell-to-pay 30 kWh of total capacity, for WLTP autonomy of only 220 km.
The BOOST intermediate level, billed at 23,990 €, retains this same engine, but adopts a larger battery of the same technology, this time with 43.2 kWh of total capacity for a range of 322 km. This radius of action is equivalent to that of the Citroën Ë-C3 and the next Renault Twingo electric should aim at the 300 km of autonomy.
Finally, the Comfort top of the range of our test model increases the note at € 25,990, with the 115 kW engine and the same battery of 43.2 kWh, for a range of 310 km. The equipment also differs between these finishes.
On the recharging side, the smallest battery accepts up to 65 kW in direct current and the largest 85 kW, each allowing them to announce a 10 to 80 % in 30 min.
All versions are equipped with an 11 kW on -board charger with V2L function up to 3.3 kW. Again, Byd is much more generous than his main competitors.
The Dolphin Surf is already available, and byd practices a 1000 € discount for its launch. If its dated style and limited autonomies do not revolutionize the market, it is rather its equipment endowment which can play in its favor against European rivals much more chick at the entrance. Its six -year or 150,000 km warranty is also an argument (eight years or 200,000 km for the battery up to a 70 % and eight -year -old SOH or 150,000 km for the traction chain).
Note that the production in China of Dolphin Surf should soon be repatriated to Hungary (source: Coach). This would then allow byd to avoid European sanctions towards electric cars produced in China, and perhaps even to win the ecological bonus in France.
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