European BYD Dolphin G reveals its interior in spy shots

The global EV market is in a constant state of flux as international brands adjust their strategies. Chinese automotive giant BYD is taking a big step by introducing a brand-new model called the Dolphin G, but unlike previous vehicles that the company simply modified for export, this new hatchback is the first time the manufacturer built a car from the ground up specifically for European drivers. The brand hopes this fresh approach will help it capture a bigger share of the lucrative continental market.

The company will build the new Dolphin G much closer to its target buyers. BYD will assemble the hatchback at its new manufacturing plant located in Szeged, Hungary, making it one of the very first vehicles to roll off that specific assembly line. Potential buyers will not have to wait long to find out how much the vehicle costs, as the company plans to release official pricing details later this month. Following the price announcement, the customer deliveries will begin in the fall of 2026.

The Dolphin G is 163.8 inches long and 71.9 inches wide - that's 5.1 inches shorter but 2.17 inches wider than the battery-powered European version of the standard Dolphin. The exterior design features a pair of thin headlights and an active air intake system. The front bumper has two dedicated airflows to improve efficiency, while the side profile shows semi-hidden door handles and darkened D-pillars.

The exterior profile shows a compact, city-friendly shape designed to squeeze into tight European parking spots. While official exterior images show this aerodynamic styling, recent spy photos from China managed to capture the first clear look inside the actual vehicle. The cabin embraces a very minimalist design language that removes almost all visual clutter. A large floating touchscreen dominates the center of the dashboard, while a smaller LCD instrument panel sits directly behind the steering wheel. Most of the dashboard surface remains completely clean, as designers moved the main gear shifter directly behind the three-spoke steering wheel.

Source: Autohome China

Looking closely at the center area, the tunnel between the front seats avoids the confusing sea of buttons found in older cars. It opts instead for a tiny, concentrated control block - a relief for anyone who dislikes dashboards resembling airplane cockpits. This small cluster houses only the most essential physical switches, such as the hazard lights button, a manual driving mode selector, and a dedicated volume control. Right next to these controls, there's a single cup holder and a hidden storage compartment.

Even though the vehicle is made by a company famous for its pure electric cars, this specific model uses a plug-in hybrid system. The mechanical setup pairs a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor. The engine produces a peak power output of 72 kW (97 horsepower), and the electric motor generates 145 kW (194 horsepower). When both power sources work together, they deliver a combined peak power output of 156 kW, giving the hatchback a total of 209 horsepower.

Drivers can choose between two LFP battery packs, depending on their daily driving needs. The entry-level option has a capacity of 7.8 kWh, while the larger version provides 18 kWh of energy storage, allowing the vehicle to travel on pure electricity during city commutes. When the battery runs low, the gasoline engine kicks in to keep the vehicle moving on longer journeys.

This new hatchback arrives at a time of rapid international growth for the Chinese manufacturer. According to recent data from the China EV DataTracker, the brand's overseas sales reached 135,098 vehicles - a huge 70.8% year-over-year increase. The company clearly intends to use the Dolphin G to maintain this upward sales climb in Europe. If the manufacturer manages to attach an aggressive price tag to the vehicle this June, it will cause a lot of trouble for the European legacy automakers.

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