Test review DrivOlution BYD Dolphin Design 62 kWh

BYD Platform - intelligent e-Platform 3.0

The BYD Dolphin, like the BYD Atto 3, is built on BYD's intelligent e-Platform 3.0 for ultimate system efficiency and integrated vehicle intelligence. BYD's 8-in-1 electric powertrain integrates the Vehicle Control Unit, Battery Management System, Power Distribution Unit, Drive Motor, Motor Controller, Transmission, DC-DC and On-Board Charger. This deep integration provides 89% system efficiency. This integrated technology is designed for optimum performance and a better driving experience.

BYD Blade Battery (LFP) - widely acclaimed

The Dolphin also uses the pioneering and extremely safe blade battery. BYD has been in the battery business for over 27 years for good reason. The battery has passed a series of extreme tests, including the penetration test, under stringent conditions, making it one of the safest batteries in the world.

BYD Dolphin - 4 versions

With the BYD Dolphin, you have a choice of four versions notably:

• The BYD Dolphin Active: this version features a battery pack of 46 kWh, of which 44.9 kWh is usable. The engine delivers an output of 70 kW (95 hp). Torque is 180 Nm. According to the WLTP stated combined driving range  you will get 340 km with the Active.
• The BYD Dophin Boost: the Boost features the same battery pack as the Active (44.9 kWh usable). This version is more powerful than the Active, delivering an output of 130 kW (176 hp). The Boost does not get you as far as the Active notably 310 km.
• The BYD Dolphin Comfort: from the Comfort, you have the larger 62 kWh battery pack, of which 60.5 kWh is usable. It brings total power to 150 kW (204 hp) and torque to 310 Nm. Bigger battery, so longer driving range. With the Comfort, the combined WLTP driving range is 427 km and even 565 km in city driving.
• The BYD Dolphin Design has the same specifications as the Boost. The difference is in the higher equipment level of the Design compared to the Comfort. 

All versions are front-wheel drive. 

Driving modes - four

The versions come with the classic driving modes notably Eco, Comfort, Sport and Snow. We haven't needed the last driving mode for now. 

Renewable energy recovery - 2 levels

With the BYD Dolphin, you can choose between 2 energy recuperation levels : standard and high. During our testing, we tried both but noticed little difference. If you choose the recovery level High then the deceleration is a bit stronger. Anyway, with both you rely on the OPD (One Pedal Driving) principle. You use the power pedal to both accelerate and decelerate.

The results - general

We have added a total 428 km to the BYD Dolphin Design's odometer and divided this over 12 recorded trips. What does this yield? We arrive at an average consumption of 15.0 kWh/100 km. Based on the usable battery capacity of 60.5 kWh, enough for a driving range of 403 km*. This at an average outside temperature of 12 degrees.

The results - by road type

• Doesn't happen much but we did as many trips on secondary roads (out of town) as on the motorway. We end up with five trips for each road type. However, it does produce different results. On the out-of-town trips, we record an average consumption of 14.7 kWh/100 km. Good for a driving range of 422 km*.
• On motorway journeys, we arrive at an average test consumption of 15.6 kWh/100 km. At this consumption, you get 388 km* far on one charge.
• Only once did we venture into city traffic: here we stranded on a consumption of 13.9 kWh/100 km. In terms of driving range, this means 435 km*.
• There is also another drive that is a mix of motorway and secondary roads. It yields an average consumption of 14.8 kWh/100 km or 409 km* of driving range.

The results - by driving mode

Not surprisingly, we did almost all trips in the Eco driving mode. 

• 11 out of 12 trips, we chose Eco driving mode. It yielded a combined consumption of 15.0 kWh/100 km.
• Normal driving mode (1 trip out of 12 7) yields a consumption of 14.6 kWh/100 km. 

Clearly, the choice of driving mode affects consumption. However, not only the driving mode. Road type and climate control use also play a role. Moreover, you always make a choice as to which driving mode you choose. On motorways, this doesn't make too much of a difference. Rather, it is the chosen speed that will affect consumption and driving range.

*The stated driving range is a theoretical calculation based on the usable battery capacity. This is always a snapshot. All kinds of factors such as weather conditions, use of air conditioning, topography, traffic density and your own driving style can influence this. 

Consumption results

How does the BYD Dolphin perform on our test track? After 104 km in rainy conditions and with an outside temperature of 12 °C, we recorded an average consumption of 14.6 kWh/100 km. With a usable battery capacity of 60.5 kWh, you get to this consumption 414 km* far.

Take a look at the results across the different parts of the test course:

• the out-of-town drive of 43 km yields a consumption of 14.0 kWh/100 km. That gets you 432 km* far on a charge.
• motorway drive (40 km) accounts for consumption of 16.0 kWh/100 km and a driving range of 378 km*.
• the city drive is usually the best and this drive ends up with a consumption of 13.9 kWh/100 km. If you can maintain this vebruik then you 435 km* ver.

Driving range evolution

Driving range fluctuates as a function of consumption. We start with a driving range of 267 km and SoC (State of Charge) of 59%. After the out-of-town drive, the driving range dropped to 229 km (SoC from 59% to 49%). A loss of 38 km of driving range. On motorway driving, the driving range drops from 229 km to 169 km (SoC from 49% to 39%). A loss of 60 km of driving range. Logically, the driving range drops faster and this has to do with the selected speed. After city driving, the range dropped from 169 km to 162 km (SoC from 39% to 34%). In total, we 105 km lost driving range on the test track. You could say we lost 1 km of driving range per kilometre driven if we calculate quickly  

*The stated driving range is a theoretical calculation based on the usable battery capacity. This is always a snapshot. All kinds of factors such as weather conditions, use of air conditioning, topography, traffic density and your own driving style can influence this. 

We aim to drive as efficiently as possible by maximising the use of cruise control (constant speed) and anticipating traffic situations to the maximum. The speed on motorways is 110 km/h. Energy consumers (such as air conditioning) are switched off when weather conditions permit. Moreover, we choose the most efficient driving mode (Eco).

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Depending on the version chosen, the BYD Dolphin features either 

• 7 kW AC charging power and 60 kW maximum DC charging power when you choose the Active and Boost versions.
• 11 kW AC (three-phase) load capacity and 88 kW maximum DC load capacity if you opt for the Comfort and Design versions.

Charges

Due to circumstances, we only hooked up the BYD Dolphin to the charging station once. Moreover, only charged to an SoC of 60% and DC charged.

Charge curve - constant

At the start of the charging process (SoC of 25%), the charging rate was 59.5 kW and at an SoC of 52%, the charging rate was still 59.2 kW. So a relatively constant charging rate.

Driving range

The limited charging session is too short to arrive at an informed figure in terms of the loaded driving range after the charging session. 

Information charging process - for the driver

The BYD Dolphin offers you, the driver, the following information during the charging process:

• SoC (State of Charge): charge percentage battery 
• the remaining charging time (hh:mm)
• charging rate expressed in kW

Pre-heating battery - no info

Driving - for everyday use

The BYD Dolphin does not aim at a sporty driving style but rather at a quiet driving style. Not that it lacks power. Roadholding is fine for what this Dolphin is designed for. Feels a bit hard though.

Central display driver

We are becoming more and more used to it. The classic dashboard is disappearing, giving way to a small screen for the driver and a larger centrally located infotainment screen. The besuurderscreen includes the most important items for the driver such as displaying driving range, SoC (battery percentage), speed and so on more. Music, heating and everything else is done via the central touchscreen.

12.8-inch rotatable touchscreen

The central infotainment display is traditionally rotatable a quarter turn. Something we also encounter in the other models. It is clearly readable and contains most of the functions. As always, it requires some searching at first. 

Head-up display (HUD)

The HUD is clearly readable. It increases safety as you have all important information in your field of vision. 

Design version - some extras

On a technical level, the Design does not differ from the Comfort. In terms of equipment, it does add a panoramic roof, V2L socket, privacy glass on the rear seats and wireless smartphone charging.

Space inside - fine

Taking into account the Dolphin's dimensions, it offers ample space. By the way, the rear seat is horizontally adjustable in a 60/40 split. The boot is not very big but you get a double floor in the boot. Ideal for storing your charging cables. Moreover, the Dolphin has no fewer than 20 practical and flexible storage compartments. Didn't find or use them all, though.

Finish - what we are used to from BYD

The Dolphin's finish matches the level of finish we are used to from BYD: fine! No unpleasant noises. The seats are electrically adjustable (unfortunately no memory function) and feel good. The controls for the various functions on the steering wheel are good. Moreover, you can still operate the mirrors via 'buttons' and don't have to do so via the touchscreen.

Minus point - the windows catching on quickly

Unfortunately, a bit of a recurring phenomenon with non-European cars is the windows quickly catching on when you park the car or try to drive without air conditioning.  So not only an issue with BYD. Annoying though. 

The BYD Dolphin comes standard with a range of safety and advanced driver assistance systems. All models feature Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Rear Collision Warning and much more. Below is an overview of the available systems. Experience shows that, on average, these systems work well but alertness of the driver is and remains the message. Some systems can sometimes come out of the corner a bit 'unexpected' and lead to unpleasant interventions. Knowledge of what the systems can and cannot do is important. Keep in mind traffic sign recognition (TSR - Traffic Sign Recognition) and especially in terms of speed display. This is not always correct. The BYD Dolphin gives you an acoustic warning without being too intrusive.

The driving range simulation is a theoretical indication of what is possible in terms of driving range and this is based on the realised trip consumption (kWh/100 km) and the usable battery capacity (kWh). Obviously, this is always a snapshot in time. Many factors can influence the consumption and the corresponding driving range. 

Comparing test results on consumption and driving range with the WLTP figures, we score better on consumption (15.0 kWh/100 km compared to 15.9 kWh/100 km WLTP) but less on driving range. Only in trip 8 and trip 10 do we score better (see graph simulation driving range).