√Australia’s BYD Dolphin electric car to be larger than Chinese model

Chinese electric-car maker BYD’s next model for Australia is set for a bigger footprint and structural upgrade – compared to the same car sold in China – with the aim of top marks in independent safety testing.

The 2023 BYD Dolphin electric car has been upgraded for Australia with the aim of meeting five-star crash-test requirements – its local distributor has claimed – with a larger footprint than the same model sold in China.

Due in Australian showrooms from this July, the Dolphin in Chinese-market form is a city-sized hatchback measuring about four metres long, a similar size to a Toyota Yaris or Volkswagen Polo.

But BYD’s Australian distributor EVDirect has confirmed local models will be more than 20cm longer than Chinese versions, in order to accomodate a new front-end crash structure claimed to be designed for a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

The company claims the new front end – with a longer nose and restyled bumper – was designed for the Australian market first, but it will also be offered on European versions, which have similar Euro NCAP independent safety targets.

MORE: BYD Dolphin electric car delayed, due later this year alongside Seal sedan

“This [front-end redesign] was to ensure the car obtains a five-star ANCAP rating,” EVDirect CEO Luke Todd told Drive.

Specifications published in Europe show the updated Dolphin will measure 4290mm long, 1770mm wide and 1570mm tall, riding on a 2700mm wheelbase.

It is identical in width, height and wheelbase but 220mm longer than the Chinese-market model, which measures 4070mm long.

Although it has effectively moved from the size of a Volkswagen Polo to the size of a Golf, the Australian model will not have any more interior passenger or boot space than the Chinese version – as the extra length is not between the front and rear wheel axles.

Patent images of the Australian and Chinese models show the front overhang – the bodywork ahead of the front wheels – has about doubled in size, likely to allow for improved impact absorption in a crash, with a flatter, longer bonnet.

There is also a longer rear bumper, larger tyres, and new front doors and wheel arches to ensure the crease along the side of the car continues to align with the bottom edge of the headlights – which are the same as before, but are placed further forward.

Also unique to European models – and not available in China – is the availability of a larger 60kWh battery pack, compared to the 30.7kWh and 44.9kWh units offered in China.

EVDirect would not confirm which of the three battery packs would be available in Australia.

Driving range with the 60kWh pack in European WLTP testing – which is conducted in a laboratory, but is more realistic than China’s CLTC test protocols – is rated at 427km.

Meanwhile, the 30.7kWh and 44.9kWh packs – the latter of which is due to join the range later on in Europe – claim 300km and 400km of CLTC driving range.

Prices for Australia are yet to be confirmed. It was previously estimated a highly-specified, 44.9kWh model could be priced from less than $40,000 plus on-road costs locally.

BYD Europe has quoted an estimated €30,000 starting price for the 60kWh version – which converts to $AU49,000.

However, using a top-of-the-range, 60kWh Atto 3’s price in Europe (about €47,000 in Germany) and Australia ($51,011 plus on-road costs) as a guide, the long-range Atto 3 could still be priced from less than $35,000 plus on-road costs.

Final prices are not expected to be announced by BYD’s Australian distributor until orders open, scheduled to occur in July 2023 – pending any delays.

For more details on the BYD Dolphin ahead of its Australian launch due later this year, click the link below to read Drive’s earlier coverage.

MORE: BYD Dolphin electric car delayed, due later this year alongside Seal sedan

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