BYD’s Dolphin has been impressing European reviewers, and the temptingly low prices are sure to help it steal sales from Japanese and Euro-built rivals. But back in its homeland the Dolphin has fresh competition of its own to face in the form of the Wuling Bingo Plus. As the “Plus” in the name suggests, this new hatch from the GM-SAIC joint venture is a larger take on the regular Wuling Bingo that’s been registering strong customer interest since it debuted in 2023. But the bigger Bingo gets a new, less cutesy set of clothes that give it a more grown-up character. Design features not seen on the smaller, blobbier Bingo include a side-mounted air intakes in the front bumper, Porsche-like headlamps, a waistline that kicks up at the rear door and a split-effect C-pillar.
A 50 mm wheelbase stretch to
2,610 mm should liberate some useful additional knee- and trunk
space, though Car News China notes that the BYD Dolphin’s 2,700-mm wheelbase is significantly bigger again. Instead of the rangiest diddy Bingo’s
37.9 kWh battery, the Plus reportedly comes equipped with a 50.6 kWh pack, and
while the punchiest motor available in the small guy makes just 50 kW (67 hp), the Plus offers 75 kW (101 hp).
Wuling hasn’t confirmed electric driving
range figures for the Plus, but it’s expected to come in around 400
km. The three battery options in the standard Bingo offer owners the chance to
travel 203 km, 333 km and 410 km before
needing a top-up.
