BYD has filed the next generation of the Seagull, the model sold in Europe as the Dolphin Surf, with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The filing appeared in the latest batch of certified vehicle specifications published on 10 July 2026 and reveals a car that is considerably larger and more powerful than the current version. Pricing, a launch date and a European name for this new generation have not been confirmed.
The Dolphin Surf is currently one of the most affordable EVs available in Europe, sold in around twenty countries across the continent. It’s among the best EVs for new drivers given its manageable size and five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, and one of the better-performing city EVs for real-world range. Some of those qualities may change with the next generation.
What the Regulatory Filing Shows
The new car measures 4,205 mm in length, 1,810 mm in width and 1,570 mm in height, on a 2,650 mm wheelbase. To put that in context: the current Dolphin Surf is 3,990 mm long. The new generation is 425 mm longer, with a wheelbase extended by 150 mm, which puts its footprint close to the existing BYD Dolphin, the larger hatchback that sits above the Surf in the BYD European lineup. Interior space is expected to improve significantly as a result.
Two variants have been filed. The base version has a kerb weight of 1,180 kg. The second variant weighs 1,255 kg and can be fitted with an optional sensor package including LiDAR, front radar, rear radar and side radar, enabling BYD’s more advanced driver assistance systems. BYD introduced LiDAR on the Chinese-market Seagull for the first time in May 2026, making it the first mini car in China’s EV market to support the technology.
The exterior shown in the filing images features a redesigned front end with sharp creases and narrow polygonal headlights. Semi-hidden door handles on the sides and inverted-trapezoidal taillights at the rear with BYD lettering in the centre give it a more contemporary appearance than the current car.
| Specification | Next generation | Current Dolphin Surf |
|---|---|---|
| Length / width / height | 4,205 / 1,810 / 1,570 mm | 3,990 / 1,720 / 1,590 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm | 2,500 mm |
| Motor power | 95 kW | 65 kW / 115 kW |
| Battery | LFP (capacity TBC) | 30 kWh / 43.2 kWh LFP |
| Top speed | 150 km/h | 150 km/h |
| Kerb weight | 1,180 kg (base) / 1,255 kg (higher) | 1,294 kg (base) / 1390 kg (higher) |
| LiDAR | Optional (higher variant) | Optional (2026 update) |
| WLTP range | TBC | 220 km / 322 km |
A More Powerful Motor
The powertrain is the most significant single change. The new generation uses a 95 kW permanent magnet synchronous motor, up from the 65 kW unit in the current model. That”s a significant power output update for a car that started life as a minimal city runabout. Top speed is certified at 150 km/h. The battery remains LFP (lithium iron phosphate) chemistry, supplied by Shaoxing FinDreams Battery Co., though the exact capacity and WLTP range for European specification cars have not been announced. Tyres are specified at 205/60 R16 across all variants.
Why BYD Is Doing This
The timing of this next generation is no accident. The current Seagull’s sales in China have been declining sharply. In the first half of 2026, cumulative sales fell 42.6% year-on-year to 163,174 units. June 2026 came in at 25,080 units, down 51.1% year-on-year. A significant part of the pressure comes from the Geely EX2 (sold as the Xingyuan in China), which recorded 33,359 deliveries in June 2026 to the Seagull’s 9,825. The competitive dynamics in China’s entry-level EV segment have shifted considerably over the past 18 months, and BYD needs a response.
Growing the car substantially is that response. More interior space, more power and the option of advanced driver assistance are all aimed at justifying a higher price point than the current model while simultaneously making the car more competitive in a segment that has moved upmarket.
What This Means for European Buyers
The current Dolphin Surf is assembled at BYD’s factory in Hungary, for European markets, as I covered in detail in my article on BYD’s European production. Whether the next generation will continue to be built there, and when it would arrive in Europe, are open questions at this stage.
What the filing does suggest is that the current Dolphin Surf’s position as an ultra-compact city car is about to change. At 4,205 mm long, the next generation is closer in size to a Volkswagen Polo than to a city car, and its rivals in Europe will shift accordingly. For buyers currently weighing up the Dolphin Surf against alternatives like the Hyundai Inster, my Dolphin Surf vs Hyundai Inster comparison covers the current generation. The next one will be a different competitive conversation.
One thing that’s worth noting: a regulatory filing in China does not mean an imminent launch. It typically signals that a car is reasonably close to going on sale domestically, but European homologation, pricing and launch timelines are separate processes. The current Dolphin Surf has only been on sale in Europe since 2024, and BYD hasn’t indicated when a next-generation model would cross the continent.
For buyers interested in the current Dolphin Surf, the five-star Euro NCAP rating and entry price starting from around €19,990 remain its strongest selling points. Those factors are unlikely to carry forward unchanged to a significantly larger and more powerful successor.
FAQ
What is the BYD Seagull and what is it called in Europe?
The BYD Seagull is the Chinese-market name for the car sold in Europe as the BYD Dolphin Surf. It’s also sold as the BYD Atto 1 in some markets. It is BYD’s most affordable EV globally and one of the most affordable EVs in Europe, starting from around €19,990 in France.
How much bigger is the new generation Dolphin Surf?
The next-generation model is 425 mm longer than the current car, measuring 4,205 mm in total length, and the wheelbase is extended by 150 mm to 2,650 mm. This brings its dimensions close to the existing BYD Dolphin hatchback.
What motor does the new model use?
The filing confirms a 95 kW (127 hp) permanent magnet synchronous motor, compared to 65 kW (75 hp) in the current version. Top speed is 150 km/h.
Does the new model have LiDAR?
An optional sensor package including LiDAR, front radar, rear radar and side radar is available on the higher-specification variant. The base version does not include this hardware.
When will the new Dolphin Surf come to Europe?
No European launch date or pricing has been announced. A Chinese regulatory filing indicates that a domestic launch is approaching, but European homologation and market entry are separate processes on a separate timeline.
Why is BYD updating the Seagull now?
Sales of the current Seagull in China fell 42.6% in the first half of 2026, partly due to competition from the Geely EX2 (Xingyuan), which recorded 33,359 deliveries in June 2026 compared to the Seagull’s 9,825. The larger, more powerful next generation is BYD’s response to competitive pressure in the entry-level EV segment.
Featured Image Source: BYD
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