CHINESE EV giant BYD is launching two new trim levels to is all-electric Dolphin supermini range.

The Active and Boost models complete the Dolphin line up alongside the existing Comfort and Design specifications.

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.

The range for the Dolphin Active on a full charge is 211 miles with the Boost capable of up to 193 miles.

In the Active the battery is combined with a 95ps motor and can bechargedby AC power up to 7kW and by DC power up to 65kW. The Boost has a 176ps motor and can be charged with an 11 kW AC (3-phase) charger or by DC power up to 65 kW.

With a 100 kW DC charger the battery can be replenished from 30 to 80 per cent in 28 minutes for both models.

The Dolphin features astandard high-efficiency heat pumpand the industry's first direct cooling and heating system for batteries, boosting thermal efficiency by up to 15 per cent in winter.

All models feature forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, rear collision warning, rear cross traffic alert and rear cross traffic brake, lane departure prevention and emergency lane keeping assist. adaptive cruise control and intelligent cruise control add to the enjoyment of driving.

A panoramic camera provides the driver with 360-degree visibility for safe vehicle manoeuvring.

Cutting-edge lighting technology also provides a broader beam of light to assist visibility when driving at night, with high beam assist, adaptive front headlights and follow me home as a standard.

We have just tried out both the new Dolphin models and they are as impressive as the higher-powered versions launched last year.

In fact there is not much difference between the feel of the newcomers in everyday driving and both deliver fine drives for a supermini-sized vehicle.

The Active has a top speed of 93mph and a 0 to 62mph acceleration of 12.3 seconds while the Boost can manage the same maximum as the higher specification Comfort and Design Dolphins at 99mph.

Its acceleration is half-a-second slower than the range toppers at nine seconds but that is hardly noticeable.

Equipment levels are high and with the exception of the likes of heated front seats and front parking sensors there is little between all four trim levels although Active versions have 16 as opposed to 17-inch wheels.

As with other BYD models, the Blade battery is remarkably efficient and does what it says on the tin with range decreasing mile-per-mile as indicated on the instruments.

A nice touch which features on all BYD vehicles is the fitting of a seat belt cutting tool and window breaker which can be a life-saving device.

On the Dolphin it can be found clipped inside the back of the centre console and easy to reach in an emergency.

Boot space is above average for a car of such size and is 345 litres with all five seats occupied or a maximum of 1,310 litres with them folded.

With the Dolphin range now complete and topping out from £31,695 in Design specification the line up is keenly priced in the electric age and represents fine value for those wishing to make the switch to electric motoring.