When the BYD Dolphin first made its debut several years ago, it served as the brand's smallest EV offering before the Seagull became BYD's entry-level zero-emissions vehicle. Then it received a facelift for the 2025 model year, while still having the ability to cover more than 500 km in the top-of-the-line offering.

But with car buyers preferring to have the ability to run on either gasoline or battery power via plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), BYD is set to disrupt the electrified hatchback market in Europe, and perhaps the world.

This is the BYD Dolphin G, and it's the PHEV variant of the electric hatchback. Billed by the automaker as a revolutionary entry into Europe's B-segment market, the plug-in hybrid hatchback combines the zero emissions of a pure EV with the long-distance flexibility of a PHEV.

Its exact specifications have yet to be revealed by BYD. However, the brand did mention that compared to ICE-powered superminis, the Dolphin G can do more than 1,000 km on a full charge and a full tank of gasoline. Moreover, BYD says the Dolphin G was specifically developed for overseas markets, including Europe, and represents a breakthrough in BYD's goal of making sustainable new energy mobility available to all.

Based on its ability to cover more than 1,000 km, our best guess is that the BYD Dolphin G gets the plug-in hybrid system derived from the Atto 2 DM-i. In the electrified crossover, it has a 7.9 kWh battery pack that powers an electric motor that puts out 165 PS with 300 Nm of torque and is assisted by a 1.5L engine that serves as an onboard generator. Its combined system range is rated at 1,045 km, while its EV range is listed as 45 km for the Philippine market.

Design-wise, the Dolphin G differs from the Dolphin EV in terms of looks. If anything, the Dolphin G appears to have been inspired by the Atto 2's exterior, including the LED headlights and full-width LED taillights. It also has massive black alloy wheels and distinct rear quarter windows.

“The European B-segment is one of the most important parts of the market, and with Dolphin G DM-i, we want to redefine what customers can expect from a compact car in the electric era. By bringing long electric range, intelligent hybrid technology, and advanced digital features into an accessible compact vehicle, we are making sustainable mobility smarter, more practical, and available to many more people across Europe,” said Stella Li, BYD executive vice president.

The BYD Dolphin G DM-i will go on sale across European markets in the coming weeks, with the first deliveries expected to reach customers in the coming months. With that, we're hoping the Dolphin G will also be offered in markets like the Philippines, where PHEVs continue to grow in popularity