BYD Dolphin G PHEV compact hatchback expected to debut in Europe ahead of China
China-based automaker BYD is preparing a plug-in hybrid hatchback for the European market, expanding its electrified lineup beyond battery-electric models. According to Autocar, BYD vice president Stella Li stated in an interview that the Dolphin G will be the company’s first model designed primarily for Europe rather than adapted from a China-market product. The vehicle is expected to arrive next year, reportedly following a Europe-first rollout strategy similar to that of the Atto 2 DM‑i plug-in hybrid, which debuted in Europe before its domestic launch.
The Dolphin G is positioned as a compact plug-in hybrid hatchback and will directly compete with established models such as the Volkswagen Golf GTE and Toyota Prius in the European market. It will complement the fully electric Dolphin already sold in Europe and address demand for compact plug-in hybrid hatchbacks in the same segment.
The model remains several months away from its official debut. Reports indicate that the Dolphin G will share core plug-in hybrid technology with the Atto 2 DM-i, which corresponds to the Yuan Up sold in China. Vehicle dimensions are expected to be approximately 4.3 meters in length and around 1.8 meters in width, placing it squarely within the mainstream European compact hatchback category.
Powertrain information shows that the Dolphin G will use a 1.5-litre four-cylinder internal combustion engine paired with a front-mounted electric motor. The system supports both series and parallel hybrid operating modes. On the Atto 2 DM-i, this plug-in hybrid setup delivers a combined system output of 193 kilowatts, a combined fuel consumption of about 1.8 litres per 100 kilometres, and a pure-electric driving range of approximately 90 kilometres. No Dolphin G-specific performance figures have been officially confirmed.
BYD vice president Stella Li stated that the Dolphin G is intended as a dedicated European model rather than a localised version of an existing Chinese-market vehicle. She noted that plug-in hybrid hatchbacks of this type do not have meaningful demand in China, which informed BYD’s decision to focus development on European market requirements.
BYD plans to begin localised European production at its manufacturing facility in Hungary next year. Initial production will include the Dolphin Surf and Atto 2, with the Dolphin G expected to follow afterwards. The approach mirrors BYD’s earlier strategy with the Atto 2 DM-i, which launched in Europe before its introduction to the Chinese domestic market, according to CarNewsChina.
In Europe, the Dolphin G will join BYD’s expanding plug-in hybrid lineup, which already includes the Seal U DM-i, Seal 6 DM-i, and Atto 2 DM-i, alongside Denza-branded models such as the B5 four-wheel-drive SUV and the Z9 GT. BYD has also confirmed plans to launch the Sealion 5 DM-i SUV in the United Kingdom, and a plug-in hybrid version of the Atto 3 is scheduled for introduction around 2027.
