BYD is growing at a rapid pace and has one of the widest range of new energy vehicle (NEV) models on the market, including smaller, more affordable hatchbacks such as the Dolphin and Atto 1 that were recently launched in the Australian market.
Now, the company has been spotted testing another hatchback model in Shenzhen, where the company is headquartered.
Photos of a heavily camouflaged small hatchback being tested on public roads have been shared by DriveGreen on X, providing hints about what to expect from the model.
These latest shots show a similar design profile to the BYD Dolphin, which currently starts at $29,990 before on-roads in its base version in Australia.
The front wheels look similar to those seen on the Atto 1 Seagull hatchback, as it is known in its home Chinese market.
Looking at the rear, there appears to be a charging port on the right side of the car, which is similar to what is seen on the Sealion 7 SUV and Seal sedan.
This could also refer to a rear-wheel drive powertrain, such as the one found in these cars, currently available in our market.
Given the timing of the sighting, it is expected to be a model for launch in 2026. It could feature BYD’s latest technology with software and engine upgrades and a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.
BYD originally announced Dolphin for the Australian market in 2023, following the success of its first electric vehicle, the Atto 3 SUV.
It came in two variants, with the entry-level Dynamic landing as the cheapest electric car in Australia at the time, with prices starting at $38,890 before on-roads.
The Premium model added more power and specification, coming in at $44,890 on-road.
Then, at the start of 2025, BYD shocked many by introducing the Dolphin Essentials model with prices starting at $29,990 before on-roads, cementing the car’s position as Australia’s cheapest electric car, until it followed with the Atto 1 last month, which reached $23,990 for the entry-level model.
With competition intensifying in many market segments and brands like Geely successfully launching hundreds of thousands of affordable Xingyuan or EX2 electric hatchbacks in China ahead of global expansion in 2025 and 2026, a newly spotted Dolphin or similar hatchback model from BYD could be a big deal from the world’s largest new energy vehicle maker.
Rees is the founder of Melbourne-based carloop, which specializes in Australian electric vehicle data, insights and trend reports. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first seven years of his career building transportation infrastructure before starting Carloop. He has a passion for cars, especially electric cars, and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.
