Chinese car manufacturer BYD has just added another two models to its burgeoning range. Ian Lamming tries them out
WHEN you have a staff of 600,000 including 90,000 engineers it’s pretty obvious more models are going to be produced to keep them nice and active.
Chinese car giant BYD is gearing up for Europe and the UK by adding significant models to its range of Dolphins, Atto3s and Seals. Be warned western automotive world they have a 19 model line-up in the home market so we can expect more to come our way.
Is that a bad thing? Well, I’m not sure it is given that increased competition should drive down the prices of all cars for the buying public.
And if you are behind the times and think that China can only produce cheap copies, then think again; that iPhone in your pocket or iPad on your desk is likely to have come from BYD.
The onslaught began just last year with the introduction of an all-electric range that included a city car called the Dolphin, a small SUV named the Atto3 and a very sleek and sporty saloon, the Seal.
Dealers were few and far between but as the fastest growing car brand by a considerable margin that was never going to last. With a new UK HQ in Uxbridge, the dealer network now stretches far and wide, with 120 stores by the end of next year covering 95 per cent of the country. It will be 100 per cent the following year.
And they won’t be short of stock as BYD knocked out three million units last year, which is a growth rate of 62 per cent. It makes you think and it must be scaring the life out of other manufacturers.
The biggest problem for the opposition, apart from the sheer scale of BYD’s operations, is that the cars are actually very good.
Two new models have joined the Dolphin Range – the Active and the Boost to complement the existing Comfort and Design – and the thing that strikes you is the air of quality. Inside and out the BYD feels exceptionally well made.
More than that it is brilliantly designed with tactile materials that make you feel that you are in something prestigious rather than cheap and nasty. The interior is also interesting on the eye, not boring, the dash is shapely and hi-tech, the materials top grade and even the flipper door handles are a joy to hold.
The centre console touch screen is a techie’s dream. It will even switch between landscape and portrait at the press of a button or verbal request and all the controls fall easily to hand.
These new variants are slightly down on power compared to the launch models but on the road neither ever feel short of poke. Active gets a 70kW motor, Boost a 130kW unit, with commensurate size batteries. So you are looking at the equivalent of 95hp and 176hp respectively and sprint times to 62mph of 12.3 seconds and 7.5 seconds.
Handling on the surprisingly roomy five door hatchback is better than I remembered on the launch model which was a bit squidgy and the Dolphin is fun on the open road and in towns.
Active’s range is 211 miles and Boost’s is 192 miles and prices range from £26,195 to £31,695. In truth there is so little to choose between them I’m not sure how prospective buyers are going to decide. Maybe stick a pin in the brochure.
All models get a heat pump so no more freezing feet to worry about in the winter or marked drop off in performance when you use your ancillaries and the warranties are strong – six years for the car, eight for the battery and powertrain – which should help residuals.
So that’s another two worthy models in the BYD line-up for us to enjoy and the competition to worry about. I wonder what the 80,000 engineers will come up with next?
Fact File
BYD Dolphin Active/Boost
Engine: 70/130kW electric
Power: 95/176HP
0-62mph: 12.3/7.5 secs
Top speed: 100mph
Range: 192/211 miles
Transmission: automatic
CO2 g/km: 0
Price: £26,195 - £31,695
