The larger BYD Dolphin Surf is coming. 4.21 meters long, with a potentially larger battery. Will the BYD Dolphin be removed from the lineup?

When the NaszEauto subsidy program was in effect, the BYD Dolphin Surf enjoyed enormous popularity in Poland. Meanwhile, reports have emerged in China of an extended version reaching up to 4.205 meters in length. Compared to the European version (3.99 m), this represents a significant increase of 21.5 centimeters. Yet in China, the same vehicle — known as the BYD Seagull — is only 3.78 meters long. Thus, the new edition would be 1.5 segments, or 42.5 centimeters, longer! For comparison, the BYD Dolphin [not Surf, not G] is 4.28 meters long in China and 4.29 meters long in Europe.

BYD Dolphin Surf L: The Chinese are acting while the iron is hot

The BYD Dolphin had the potential to become a hit, but it didn’t quite capture Europe’s attention. It might have been due to the price (141,000 to 150,000 zł at launch), the interior or exterior design, or even initial skepticism toward the Chinese brand. The BYD Dolphin Surf, its smaller sibling with much more distinctive body lines, is a different story. This model can be seen in an increasing number of European countries, especially since its typical yellow-green paint makes it hard to overlook.

BYD Dolphin. Perfectly unremarkable, but with 5-star EuroNCAP ratings (c) BYD

BYD Dolphin Surf. With a body design created by a Lamborghini designer, it resembles... a Lamborghini.

The Chinese don’t miss such opportunities. First there were rumors, then (a few weeks ago) the first application to China’s MIIT, and now there are reports of production starting along with photos of disguised units on the roads. The new BYD Dolphin Surf (still called Seagull in China) is as long as 4.205 meters, making it longer than the Skoda Epiq (4.17 m). Meanwhile, those 5 millimeters can easily be trimmed from the bumpers to fit the vehicle into the M1E category, Europe’s kei-car class. In China, the most powerful engine delivers 95 kW/129 hp, while in Europe it will likely be the standard 115 kW/156 hp.

The wheelbase of the new version has been increased from 2.5 to 2.65 meters (Peugeot E-2008 = 2.605 m), allowing a battery with approximately 60 kWh of capacity to fit under the chassis. The BYD Dolphin non-Surf model, with a wheelbase of 2.7 meters, features a Blade battery pack with a capacity of 60.4 kWh, promising up to 427 WLTP miles of range. The Chinese website CnEVPost believes the new variant “has a more striking visual impact,” but in reality, a quick glance at the headlights and taillights reveals that this “more” makes the car less distinctive:

In China, the base version weighs 1.18 tons, but this figure shouldn’t be given too much importance, as the version with the smallest package might not reach Europe. The heavier variant weighs 1.255 tons, and even that could still not be the weight of our version with the largest battery. The car is expected in the Old Continent as early as the second quarter of 2027, with BYD currently focusing on luxury models (Denza Z9 GT) and hybrid vehicles.

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