BYD’s Dolphin G, a plug-in hybrid version of its compact Dolphin hatchback, is expected in Brazil in 2027 with a flex-fuel engine that runs on gasoline or ethanol. In Europe, where it is already on sale, BYD lists up to 1,040 km (about 646 miles) of combined range. Brazilian pricing has not been announced, and the Brazilian version has no published spec sheet yet. The car is not sold in the US.
What is the Dolphin G?
The regular Dolphin is a fully electric hatchback. The Dolphin G is a different car under the same name: a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), meaning it has a battery you charge from an outlet plus a gasoline engine. According to Canaltech, BYD showed it in China in May with a sportier look and a longer nose to fit the 1.5-liter engine. Brazilian outlet Webmotors reports it launched in Spain in June and calls it the first BYD developed outside China.
It uses BYD’s DM-i system (Dual Mode Intelligence). The electric motor drives the wheels most of the time. The gas engine mainly generates power and extends range, and under some conditions it also helps turn the wheels. That is closer to a range-extender setup than to the mild hybrids many American drivers know. Our explainer on how hybrid cars work covers the differences.
How far can it go?
These are European figures on the WLTP cycle, which tends to be more generous than the EPA numbers US buyers are used to:
| Trim | Battery | Output | Electric only | Total range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active | 7.42 kWh | 176 hp | 40 km (25 mi) | 1,020 km (634 mi) |
| Boost, Comfort, Sport | 18.3 kWh | 212 hp | 105 km (65 mi) | up to 1,040 km (646 mi) |
The larger battery supports DC fast charging at up to 39 kW, enough for 10% to 80% in about 26 minutes. On AC, the limit is 6.6 kW for the larger battery and 3.3 kW for the Active, which has no fast charging in the published specs. Showmetech lists 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.3 seconds and a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph).
One caution: the roughly 1,000 km figure adds fuel and electricity with a full tank and a full battery. Real range depends on route, speed, weather and charging habits. Brazil’s version will burn ethanol, which gives fewer kilometers per liter than gasoline, so the European numbers will not carry over directly.
What is known about the Brazilian version?
Canaltech and Webmotors say the car is due in Brazil in 2027, with possible local production at BYD’s Camaçari complex in Bahia and no date set for it. The Brazilian car should use the 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine adapted for ethanol. Trims, equipment and certified efficiency data have not been released. Features seen in Europe, such as a 360-degree camera, a panoramic roof and driver-assistance systems, are not guaranteed for Brazil.
The European car is 4.16 m (13.6 ft) long with a 2.61 m wheelbase and a 425-liter trunk, which grows to 1,225 liters with the rear seats folded. It is a small hatchback, not a crossover.
How much will it cost?
There is no official Brazilian price. Showmetech notes that the Atto 2 DM-i starts at R$ 149,990 according to UOL and expects the Dolphin G to land below it. Canaltech estimates R$ 130,000 to R$ 150,000, and Quatro Rodas, cited by Showmetech, guesses around R$ 130,000. Those are press projections, not BYD prices. In Spain the car costs 25,200 to 30,700 euros, per Webmotors, which that outlet converts to roughly R$ 150,000 to R$ 183,000. Taxes and production costs differ by country, so the Spanish price says little about the Brazilian one.
Is it worth watching?
For US readers, the main lesson is about format. A plug-in hybrid with about 105 km (65 miles) of electric range covers most daily trips without gas, and the engine removes range anxiety on long drives. If you are weighing that against a full EV, start with our guide on whether electric cars are worth it. For Brazilian buyers, the open question is price: the Dolphin G only makes sense if it really lands under R$ 150,000, and that answer comes at launch.
