The Northern Rivers Times
40
December 7, 2023
MOTORING NEWS
BYD Dolphin 2023: Australia’s Affordable EV Steers Toward Excellence
By Jeff Gibbs The 2023 BYD Dolphin, positioned as Australia’s most budget-friendly electric vehicle, marks a significant stride in the EV market. With an initial price starting at $38,890 plus on-road costs, this entry-level model competes with conventional hatchbacks like the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3, offering commendable features and decent driving dynamics. Available in two variants – the base-level Dynamic and the more equipped Premium priced at $44,890 plus ORCs – the Dolphin series comes in four colors at no extra expense: Sand White, Urban Grey, Maldive Purple, and Coral Pink. While setting its sights on the small hatchback niche, the Dolphin faces competition from similar-priced electric rivals like the MG4 and GWM Ora, as well as better-equipped petrolpowered hatchbacks like
the Toyota Corolla and Hyundai i30 hybrids. The Dolphin boasts a rich array of standard equipment, including a panoramic sunroof, electrically adjustable front seats, and a 360-degree camera. However, its warranty coverage – notably four years/100,000km for suspension and lights, three years/60,000km for multimedia systems – presents curious exclusions. In terms of safety, the Dolphin secures a five-star ANCAP rating, encompassing an impressive suite of safety features such as autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assistance, and adaptive cruise control. Yet, realworld usability reveals occasional glitches, notably in lane keep assistance and overspeed warnings. Innovation-wise, the Dolphin allows unlocking and driving via smartphone, provides over-the-air software updates, and includes
a 5.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch central infotainment screen, albeit lacking AM radio. Powering the Dolphin Dynamic is a single electric motor generating 70kW of power and 180Nm of torque, delivering adequate performance for urban driving but exhibiting limitations at highway speeds. The Premium variant, with a larger battery, presents more robust performance figures. Range-wise, the Dolphin Dynamic claims a WLTP-certified 340km, offering practical suburban range but somewhat challenging for extensive road trips. The Premium model, with a larger battery, extends this to a claimed 427km. Charging-wise, the Dolphin supports AC charging at up to 7kW and public DC charging up to 60kW. The vehicle-to-load (V2L) feature enables powering household appliances
from the charging port. On-road performance manifests zippy urban running, although highway speeds may reveal limitations. The Dolphin’s suspension excels in comfort, although it lacks dynamic poise in spirited driving, often compromising cornering stability. Inside, the Dolphin exhibits a well-designed cabin, utilizing convincing faux leather and displaying genuine attention to detail. However, it faces minor drawbacks like limited storage spaces, chunky A-pillars causing blind spots, and a modest boot space. In conclusion, the 2023 BYD Dolphin, especially the Dynamic model, presents an attractive proposition in the EV domain, excelling in urban usability and comfort while maintaining a competitive edge in the budget EV market segment
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Revolutionizing the EV Buying Experience: Volkswagen’s GameChanging Approach
By Jeff Gibbs Volkswagen is set to debut its inaugural electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia in 2024, introducing the ID.4 and ID.5 electric SUVs for pre-sale in the initial quarter and a full launch expected by June or July. While the pricing remains undisclosed for the Australian market, buyers will gain access to an online configurator, offering options for vehicle specifications, financing, servicing plans, and accessory selections. Though Volkswagen doesn’t anticipate ground-breaking changes with these tools, it intends to set itself apart through an augmented reality experience. Using a smartphone, buyers can project a full-scale charge box onto a wall, enabling them to test various locations and detect any proximity issues indicated by a red glow. In addition to these innovations, Volkswagen has hinted at benefits such as exclusive rates for home energy plans, incentives for solar installations, and perks linked to public chargers, in conjunction with prospective collaborations with established Australian brands. Ralph Beckmann, Volkswagen Australia’s general manager for marketing and product, indicated that customers will have the opportunity to track
their ordered vehicles throughout the shipping process, excluding the Tiguan Allspace, which won’t be part of this tracking system due to logistics. Following the ID.4 and ID.5 launches, Volkswagen plans to roll out a series of EVs in Australia, with the ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo expected in the fourth quarter of 2024, followed by the ID.2 and ID.3 at a later date. The ID.4 and ID.5 variants will be available in singlemotor rear-wheel drive Pro and dual-motor all-wheel drive GTX versions, each equipped with a 77kWh battery. The Pro models generate 210kW of power and 545Nm of torque, offering a range of 550km (ID.4) or 556km (ID.5) as per WLTP standards. Meanwhile, the GTX models produce 250kW. Vehicles come with enhanced DC charging capabilities and thermal management systems, ensuring battery pre-conditioning before a DC charging stop. Inside, updates include illuminated touch sliders, a larger 12.9inch touchscreen, and a new voice assistant with cloud-based information and natural voice commands. Additional features comprise an augmented reality head-up display, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon 480W sound system, and a standard digital instrument cluster across all models.
