The big question is, will the BYD Dolphin be a fitting addition to the electric car market, or will the name just be an anecdote to alleviate boredom on long trips? Let’s find out...Later on there will be a cheaper, less powerful version of the Dolphin, but the car we’re testing here has the larger battery pack and the most powerful motor, with 201bhp. That’s good enough for a 0-62mph time of 7.0sec, which is quicker than the MG4.
Our testing was limited to a brief stint on a private track. Initial impressions are that its rivals, despite being slower on paper, feel a little more urgent off the line. The steering is precise enough with some weight build-up, but don't expect it to respond keenly enough to be engaging. The Dolphin suspension setup also feels a bit soft, with greater body movements during direction changes and under braking. That might not necessarily be a bad thing when it comes to the awful state of UK roads, where extra suppleness could take the sting out of the worst surfaces.
Road noise isn't too dominant, and there isn't a huge amount of electric motor noise, so the Dolphin should prove to be a refined urban runabout. What it’ll be like on the motorway remains to be seen . The brake pedal travel is a little long when slowing the car down from speed – the MG4 feels a little more progressive and reassuring as a result.
Whether the cheaper entry-level versions will have the same two-tone colour scheme in the UK will remain to be seen. However, we do know that all Dolphins will come with a large 12.8in central touchscreen which rotates between landscape and portrait, depending upon your preference .