Europe can get the stuffy by the BYD Dolphin Surf

More than a year ago I spotted a Chinese city car, the BYD Seagull. The design was mainstream but the price is amazing. For converted 10,000 euros you rode electrically in China with a reasonable range, four doors and a trunk. Troop couldn’t be. What BYD has in the house I knew of larger models such as the Seal and Atto 3. Neat middle class, many value for money, taste -sensitive but distinctive interior design and competent technology from our own kitchen, because BYD started as a battery manufacturer.

Zoom in for details of the BYD Dolphin Surf Click on the points for explanation about the details

Photo Merlin Doomernik

Heaven, I thought, if they are going to offer that car here is leading in order for car -producing Europe. That then hardly built any cheap plug cars, while they are essential for an energy transition, which will not make it without much cheaper EVs. In the meantime, the situation has improved slightly. The number of plug cars below 30,000 euros is increasing rapidly. But the ID1 of VW will only come in 2027. For the new electric Renault 4, formerly a car for the masses, you pay at least 30,000 euros again. At Tesla, which should also have hijacked this piece of the market, silent silent about the much -discussed smaller model. The autonomous driving Tesla Cybercab is on the road, but that will be 2026 and it is a two -seater. Musk had something else on his head when they correctly established in China that the survival battle of car manufacturers will take place in the price segment of 20 to 40,000 euros. I fear that he also made a huge error error on that point.

Indeed, the little seagull flew to the old continent, where he was renamed Dolphin Surf. But there was already a dolphin without surf, slightly bigger and slightly more expensive? True, cum laude successful in These columns. They probably thought at BYD: but Zeemeeuw does not work. The prices do that all the more. The Seagull is the best -selling car in China. High production numbers entail scale benefits, so lower production costs per car. The batteries come from their own warehouses and BYD calculates sharply. Outcome: here too irresistibly low prices. The basic model of 22,990 euros falls with its 30kWh battery and limited range of 220 kilometers because the price difference with the more expensive models is too small. Because for 24,990 and 26,690 euros respectively you have the boost and comfort with a 43kWh battery, a specified range of 322 and 310 kilometers, standard three-phase loader and fast charging up to 85 kWh. Unprecedented little for luxurious models with lots of space in the back, a luggage space of 308 liters, electrically adjustable seats, vegan leather and the most beautiful multimedia system in this class. The Renault 5 is more expensive and tighter in the back, the Hyundai more generously more spacious and more flexible, but in the most complete version with the large 49kWh battery more expensive despite a temporary price reduction. The Dacia Spring is very cheap, but even for the cheapest Dolphin no party: space, comfort, safety and performance remain substandard.

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The headlights seem to be directly copied from Lamborghini sports cars.

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The headlights seem to be directly copied from Lamborghini sports cars.

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What do they do it; High -quality steering wheel with many operating functions, including for the adaptive cruise control.

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What do they do it; High -quality steering wheel with many operating functions, including for the adaptive cruise control.

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All exceptional becomes normal, also electrically adjustable seats in a city car.

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All exceptional becomes normal, also electrically adjustable seats in a city car.

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Even for decoration was still a budget, and the materials are of high level of high level.

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Even for decoration was still a budget, and the materials are of high level of high level.

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Photos Merlin Doomernik

Sporty

You can have reservations about the appearance or interior design, but behind the wheel you quickly notice how the SURF comfort with this class Hyperbolic 156hp engine serves the collected competition. It sends exactly sporty, the finish is high -quality and the noise level low, the level of facilities of the infotainment system exceptional. He destroys the Citroën ë-c3 and beats the excellent Dongfeng Box, who misses a three-phase loader. And which competition is so economical? I came to 11.2 kWh per 100 kilometers after a 180 -kilometer drive from Amsterdam to Groningen, the first half via the highway and the second inland roads. On arrival, the on -board computer indicated a battery level of 48 percent and a residual range of 160 kilometers, where I had been satisfied with 80. With such figures, a range of up to 350 kilometers is within reach, more than BYD promises. The best seducent trick: Underpromise,,  » oversiring.

Yes, Europe can get stuffy from the Dolphin Surf. While there is something to be said. The lack of a heat pump, whimsical steering reactions of the lane-keeping-Assistant, the hysterical fatigue sensor that started to tabon after 500 meters that I had to pause. And how the battery keeps in the winter. Yet this car is already one of the big events of 2025. If CEO in Wolfsburg or Paris it would give me cold shivers. Kind diseases and hidden defects reserved, there is nothing better for this money.

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