SHENZHEN: BYD has marked the production of the one millionth Dolphin Surf compact EV (electric vehicle).
The millionth example of the car rolled down the production line at the model’s home factory in Xi’an, China, just 27 months after the first, becoming the fastest-selling model in its segment in history.
Known in China as the Seagull and Latin America as the Dolphin Mini, the Dolphin Surf has been such a huge success that it has been instrumental in the development of the global compact EV market.
BYD executive vice president Stella Li commented, “The Dolphin Surf has set benchmarks and records ever since it was introduced, topping the monthly sales charts in its class more than 20 times in just over two years."
"We said at the car’s recent European launch that it’s a global superstar that breaks down barriers to the adoption of sustainable mobility."
"Its recipe for success is pure and simple: an accessible zero-emissions vehicle that’s practical and flexible for everyday use in cities."
Measuring 3,990mm long, 1,720mm wide and 1,590mm tall, the Dolphin Surf is suited to narrow city streets and small parking spaces – yet clever use of BYD’s self-developed e-Platform 3.0 chassis delivers cabin space and a boot capacity that are comparable with cars a class above.
In Europe, the entry point to the line-up, Active, pairs its 30kWh battery with a 65kW motor, while Boost features the same power but a larger 43.2kWh battery for a WLTP combined range of 322km and a city range of 502km.
The range-topping Comfort then takes the larger battery and pairs its with the most powerful motor in its class (115kW/220Nm), delivering a 0-100kph time of just 9.1 seconds.
The standard equipment list features a 10.1-inch rotatable touchscreen infotainment system, rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera, LED daytime-running lights, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, NFC keyless entry and start, adaptive cruise control, air conditioning and electrically adjustable side mirrors.
As well as their bigger battery and larger 16-inch alloy wheels, Boost versions of the car add electric adjustment on the front seats, along with rain-sensing wipers and electric folding side mirrors.
The range-topping Comfort features a 360-degree camera, LED headlights, rear privacy glass, side-mirror footlights, heated front seats and wireless smartphone charging.
