New BYD Dolphin and Seal Receive Top Safety Scores

26th Oct 2023

By Chris Russon

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The upcoming BYD Seal and the Chinese carmaker’s smaller Dolphin hatch all-electric vehicles have been awarded 5-star safety ratings by Euro NCAP, Europe’s leading independent safety assessment organisation.

The Seal performed to a very high standard throughout the whole safety test process, illustrating the vehicle’s active and passive safety credentials and the structural benefits of the BYD CTB (Cell to Body) technology, said the safety organisation.

In the NCAP tests, the Dolphin also proved its quality with high scores on adult and child occupant protection.

Euro NCAP created the star safety rating system to help consumers, their families, and businesses compare vehicles more easily and to help them identify the safest choice for their needs.

Both the Seal and the Dolphin were assessed by Euro NCAP engineers in four categories: adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, safety assistance, and protection for vulnerable road users.

Key to the maximum test result is BYD’s build quality and technology. BYD’s new generation e-Platform 3.0, comprises the world’s first mass-produced highly integrated eight-in-one electric powertrain connecting all-electric control units and management systems, and the rigorously tested Blade Battery.

The BYD e-Platform 3.0 features a ‘multi-load path’ structure controlling how energy is absorbed by the car in the event of a collision, minimising intrusion into the passenger cabin.

Passenger protection in the cars is further enhanced by a reinforced body structure with high torsional rigidity.

The BYD Seal has a super-sportscar-like torsional stiffness and during the safety test, this extra quality resulted in an 89 percent score for Adult Occupant protection.

Euro NCAP said the Seal offered good protection against whiplash injuries, and the advanced eCall-system and the system that applies the brakes after an impact to avoid secondary collisions were also praised.

In the Child Occupant protection tests, the BYD Seal achieved an 87 percent score, minimising impact to all critical body areas for both child dummies in both frontal and side barrier tests, and in pedestrian protection tests it scored 82 percent.

For the Dolphin, the car scored 89 percent for Adult Occupant protection and 87 percent for Child Occupant protection.

The Dolphin also received a score of 79 percent for its safety assist systems, with Euro NCAP highlighting the performance of the camera-based Intelligent Speed Limit Assist and Lane Keeping Assist systems. The vehicle’s autonomous emergency braking system (AEB) contributed to a vulnerable road user score of 85 percent, with testers giving specific mention to the system’s recognition of pedestrians and cyclists.

Michael Shu, managing director for BYD Europe, said: “We are excited to witness the exceptional performance of all BYD models under the rigorous European safety test conditions. The BYD Seal and the BYD Dolphin now join the BYD ATTO 3 in achieving the highest safety test ratings. That is something to be proud of.”

“It underlines how hard BYD relentlessly works in the field of eco-friendly technological development. Customers have the reassurance that safety is always at the forefront of all our innovations.”