Category Archives: Motor reviews

First drive, Motoring

Easy as ABC with new BYD Dolphin models

Leave a comment

Choosing a spec for a Dolphin supermini is as simple as ABC, says Chinese electric car maker BYD (Build your Dreams).
Well, you should make that as simple as ABC and D with the launch of two new trim levels.
The Active and Boost compact hatch models join the Comfort and Design specs (ABCD, geddit?), but come with a smaller battery.
All are smart with excellent standard equipment, are spacious and offer decent range.
All are well specified and there are also a couple of innovative features like the tablet-style info screen that can swivel to landscape or portrait, depending on your preference. A bit like you mobile phone.
Prices start from £26,195 for the Active and £27,165 for the Boost which have a 44.9kWh battery as opposed to the 60.4 kWh output of the existing models Comfort and Dynamic models.
The range for the Dolphin Active on a full charge is 211 miles with the Boost, which has a more powerful motor capable of up to 193 miles. It can also power normal AC equipment via its Vehicle to Load (VtoL) technology


In the Active version, the battery is paired with a 95PS motor and can be charged using AC power up to 7kW or by DC power up to 65kW. The Boost version features a 176PS motor and can be charged using an 11kW AC (3-phase) charger or by DC power up to 65kW.
On both models a 100 kW DC charger can top up the battery from 30 to 80 per cent in 28 minutes.
It’s a decent size, accommodating five and features heated and powered vegan leather sports seats. The rear seats provide ample legroom, and when split increase boot space from 345-litres to 1,310 litres.
The vehicle also includes over 20 practical storage spaces.
Another premium touch is the panoramic camera provides the driver with 360-degree visibility for safe vehicle manoeuvring.
On the road, both are quick, as electric cars are, although the Boost offers a bit more grunt. The Active feeling hits 60mph in a shade over 12 seconds, the Boost a little quicker.
All Dolphin models feature a comprehensive list of safety kit.
They are good value for money and boast about being the fastest growing brand in the UK. Well that depends on your starting point. But they do have plenty to offer.
The Chinese are serious players in the EV market with BYD, MG and now Ora. The traditional brands need to keep on top of their game to compete.

Electric/hybrid, First drive, SUV/4X4, Suzuki

SUV joins race to electrification

Leave a comment

Suzuki S-Cross Hybrid

By Bill McCarthy

Suzuki’s race to electrification is gathering pace with the introduction of full hybrid technology to the popular and stylish S-Cross.

The 1.5-litre petrol engine  has as been mated with an electric motor to deliver low emissions of 118g/km for its two wheel drive model and a combined mpg of  54.3.

The  S-Cross is a compact and stylish SUV that had a major makeover in 2021, looking a different vehicle to its predecessor, with higher level of safety equipment and the latest technology.

Suzuki are not keen to talk about entry level, so it comes in two versions, the front wheel drive Motion at £26,749 and the Ultra which includes Suzuki’s Allgrip from wheel drive and priced at at £31,549.

This full hybrid has gone on sale, along with the 48V mild hybrid version with the 1.4 Booster jet petrol engine, which although smaller, offers more rapid acceleration than the full hybrid.

That price tag might seem a lot at first glance, but for a mid-sized SUV with four-wheel drive, hybrid technology and a plethora of standard kit, it then seems pretty attractive.

Both models feature smartphone connectivity, rear parking camera, front & rear parking sensors, keyless entry & start, climate control fitted as standard on both model grades.

The Ultra driven here features  ALLGRIP Select four-wheel drive, 17-inch polished alloy wheels, leather seat upholstery, integrated on-board navigation with nine-inch screen, panoramic sliding sunroof and a 360 view camera. 

In addition, all S-Cross Hybrid models come with Suzuki’s AGS automated manual transmission as standard with steering mounted paddles for a manual experience.

The slight downside is that shifts can be a bit sluggish with consequent hesitation acceleration.

It is a smart looking vehicle compact and with all the creases and bulges in the right place. It features smart alloys and huge amounts of kit for a price that puts others to shame and is one of the few in its segment to offer all wheel drive.

The muscular design includes angular wheel arches, piano black front grille and three LED position headlamps.

The rear features combination lamps that integrate horizontally to emphasise a sense of width, in addition to roof rails and integrated rear spoiler.

It is also pretty capable off-road, where the range topping all wheel drive Ultra was put through its paces.

Not a full fat off-roader, more of a soft roader’, it can cope pretty well with muddy and otherwise treacherous conditions. Having said that it did struggle a little on an off-road course that was made particlarly treacherious by heavy rain and using ordinary road tyres.

But the ALLGRIP Select system has already proved itself more than capable and designed to anticipate slippage based on road surface, throttle opening position, steering angle and other factors.

There are four settings: auto, sport, snow and lock for the more demanding areas.

Performance all around is adequate other than inspiring. The car with a combined output of 115bhp, hits 60mph in a pretty pedestrian time of around 13 seconds. Two selectable Full Hybrid drive modes are available, Standard and Eco, which are pretty self-explanatory.

Economy ranges between 48mpg and 52 mpg depending on the model.

High level of safety specification fitted as standard to both S-Cross models include Dual Sensor Brake Support, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, Adaptive Cruise Control and seven airbags including Driver’s Knee Airbag.

The S-Cross as plenty to offer and Suzuki customers are a loyal bunch and with the brand being named top vehicle manufacturer in the Institute of Customer Service bi-annual UK satisfaction index, you can see why.