The new BYD Seagull is already available at dealerships: could it be the next European Dolphin Surf?

The new BYD Seagull has begun arriving at Chinese dealerships, where the first units are on display ahead of its official launch. The new generation of this compact electric vehicle represents a significant leap forward from the current model, to the point that its arrival raises questions about the future of the manufacturer’s European lineup.

In Europe, this car is known as the BYD Dolphin Surf, although there are differences between the versions intended for each market. The model sold in Spain is 3.99 meters long and delivers up to 156 horsepower, while the new Chinese Seagull is 4.21 meters long and features a different mechanical configuration. So far, BYD has not confirmed when this new generation will arrive in our market or what name it will bear if it does make its way there.

The arrival at the dealerships allows us, on one hand, to see the speed at which the Chinese group is moving—having officially introduced it just a few days ago, it’s already ready for delivery. On the other hand, it lets us take a close look at a car we were already familiar with from the information published over the past weeks.

Its body size increases significantly, by 22 centimeters more than the European version, offering more interior space and introducing features such as a 94-liter front trunk. The layout of the cabin also changes, with a central screen taking over some of the functions of the dashboard and a gear selector located behind the steering wheel.

The issue of fast charging is also very important. Although there are no official data yet, the sighting of a press unit next to a BYD Flash Charging station suggests it will be compatible with them. Not at the MW level of their higher-end models, but it will still offer rates that are quite high for its segment.

Will it replace the Dolphin Surf or be a new model in the range?

The growth of the Chinese Seagull presents several possibilities for Europe. The first, and perhaps the most obvious, is that this new generation will eventually replace the current BYD Dolphin Surf. The European model is already longer than the existing Chinese Seagull, but the 4.21 meters of the newly introduced model would represent an additional 22 centimeters over the car currently sold in Spain.

This increased size could allow BYD to offer a more spacious and versatile electric city car, with a body style that approaches that of higher-tier models. The new Seagull also now comes in five-seater versions in China, although the European Dolphin Surf has just added this option as part of its recent update. Therefore, simply transferring the Chinese model would not be sufficient: the brand would need to decide which dimensions, features, and mechanical configurations best suit the needs of the European market.

The second possibility is that BYD takes advantage of this growth to reorganize its lineup. The new model could coexist with the current Dolphin Surf at a higher price point, eventually replacing the conventional BYD Dolphin, which is currently around 4.29 meters long. In this way, the brand could maintain a more compact entry-level model while offering a larger alternative without the two cars overlapping as much as they would if the new Seagull replaced the Surf directly.

There is no official confirmation for any of these scenarios. However, the second option seems the most logical, as the current Dolphin has become somewhat outdated in terms of design and features, with very low sales in Europe. In Spain, 863 units were sold this year, far below the 4,343 units of the Dolphin Surf, and it represents a 36.7% drop compared to 2025 figures. This indicates it needs a replacement.

The questions also revolve around when and how much it will cost. As for when, it might have to wait until 2027, and there could even be a surprise with European production. Regarding the price, the current Dolphin starts at 36,690 euros before any discounts or promotions, offering 60 kWh of battery capacity and a WLTP range of 427 km. Therefore, the new Seagull could find a market niche if it manages to improve these figures by bringing the price below 30,000 euros before any discounts or promotions.