A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
BYD DOLPHIN SURF vs Rolls-Royce Ghost: the short answer
Ghost holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over DOLPHIN SURF.
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
DOLPHIN SURF
Ghost
Maximum Power
DOLPHIN SURF55 kW
Ghost420 kW @ 5000 rpm
Maximum Torque
DOLPHIN SURF135 Nm
Ghost850 Nm @ 1600 rpm
Engine Size
DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable
Ghost6749 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable
Ghost6.37 km/l
Ground Clearance
DOLPHIN SURF155 mm
Ghost118 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
BYD DOLPHIN SURF
Dynamic EV
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
DOLPHIN SURF
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader
Ghost
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
DOLPHIN SURF
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Ghost
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ghost
Model Introduced Year
2025
2020
Generation
First South African DOLPHIN SURF generation
Second-generation Ghost in standard-wheelbase Series II form
Facelift History
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
The second-generation Ghost was introduced in South Africa in 2020 and evolved into Ghost Series II in October 2024
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
2024
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Hatchback
Four-door luxury saloon
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Active
active
Segment
City Hatchback
Full-size super-luxury saloon
Vehicle Type
Passenger vehicle
Internal-combustion passenger car
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ghost
Length
3925 mm
5545 mm
Width
1720 mm
1998 mm
Height
1590 mm
1573 mm
Wheelbase
2500 mm
3295 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
155 mm
118 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
120 mm
118 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
90 l
Boot/Cargo Space
230 l
500 l
Kerb Weight
1280 kg
2490 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1690 kg
3130 kg
Payload Capacity
410 kg
640 kg
Towing Capacity
0 kg
0 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
4.95 m
6.5 m
Front Headroom
980 mm
1030 mm
Rear Headroom
920 mm
990 mm
Front Legroom
1060 mm
1060 mm
Rear Legroom
690 mm
1075 mm
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ghost
Engine
Single-motor battery-electric powertrain
6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol
Engine Code
Not Applicable
N74B68A
Fuel Type
Electric
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
6749 cc
Cylinders
Not Applicable
12
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
V
Valves
Not Applicable
48
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
4
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Twin Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Direct Injection
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
10.0:1
Bore
Not Applicable
89 mm
Stroke
Not Applicable
90.4 mm
Maximum Power
55 kW
420 kW @ 5000 rpm
Maximum Torque
135 Nm
850 Nm @ 1600 rpm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
1
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Front
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
AWD
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
8-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
130 km/h
250 km/h
0-100 km/h
15.5 sec
4.8 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow
Low
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
43.0 kW/tonne
168.7 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
105.5 Nm/tonne
341.4 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
38.88 kWh
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Type
LFP
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Electric Range
295 km (WLTP)
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
6.6 kW
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
40 kW
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Not Applicable
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ghost
Gearbox
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
8-speed automatic
Drivetrain Layout
Front motor, front-wheel drive
All-wheel drive with all-wheel steering
LSD Available
Not Available
-
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
ATC 13 transfer case
Differential Lock
Not Available
No lockable differential
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
No
Final Drive Ratio
10.45
2.81:1
Number of Gears
1
8
Transmission Type
Automatic
8-speed automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Torque converter
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
-
Gear Shift Type
Instrument switch group gear selector
Satellite Aided automatic gear selection
Drivetrain
FWD
All-wheel drive
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Rolls-Royce all-wheel drive
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Applicable
No
Front Differential Lock
Not Available
No lockable differential
Gearbox Type
Single-speed reduction gear
8-speed automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x2
All-wheel-drive power delivery with active rear-axle steering
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
No lockable differential
Transmission Speeds
1
8
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ghost
Claimed Mileage
Not Applicable
6.37 km/l
City Mileage
Not Applicable
5.10 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not Applicable
8.08 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
90 l
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
Euro 6e (B6e)
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Automatic start/stop: Yes
Real-world Mileage
Not Applicable
6.37 km/l
Charging Port Type
Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC
Not Applicable
Charging Type
AC and DC
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
Not Applicable
90
Combined Driving Range
295 km (WLTP)
573-588 km (calculated from 90 L and 15.3-15.7 l/100 km WLTP)
Electric Consumption
13.4 kWh/100 km (measured)
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
245 km
-
Range Real World Mixed
288 km
-
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ghost
Airbags
6
8
ABS
Standard
Four-channel Anti-lock Braking System
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Dynamic Stability Control
Traction Control
Standard
Dynamic Traction Control
Hill Descent Control
Not Applicable
Hill Descent Control
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Rear child-safety locks
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
ISOFIX child-seat mounts
Brake Assist
Standard
Dynamic Brake Control
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Engine immobiliser
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Front seatbelt warning sensor
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
Park Distance Control, front and rear
AEB
Not Available
Collision Warning with Brake Function; pedestrian/bike warning with brake function
BA
Standard
Dynamic Brake Control
Brake Override System
Standard
-
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Front Head Protection System
Driver Airbag
Standard
Driver airbag
EBD
Standard
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
Engine Immobiliser
Not Applicable
Engine immobiliser
Hill Hold
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Front-passenger airbag
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Front and rear three-point pretensioning seatbelts; front force limiters
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Front seatbelt warning sensor
Side Airbags
Standard
Front side-impact airbags
Stability Control
Standard
Dynamic Stability Control
TCS
Standard
Dynamic Traction Control
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Active front knee protection
ABS EBD
Standard
Four-channel Anti-lock Braking System
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ghost
Cruise Control
Standard
Dynamic Cruise Control; Active Cruise Control fitted to the referenced current vehicle
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Active Cruise Control
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning with Active Return
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning with Active Return
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Lane Change Warning with Blind Spot Detection
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Parking Sensors
Standard
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Rear View Camera
Standard
Rear View Camera
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Surround View Camera with 3D view
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Collision Warning with Brake Function; pedestrian/bike warning with brake function
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Driver Attention Alert System
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Speed Limit Information
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
High-Beam Assistance
Auto Wipers
Standard
Rain-sensing variable-speed windshield wipers
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Reverse Camera
Standard
Rear View Camera
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Active Cruise Control
Park Assist
Standard
Park Assist and Reversing Assistant
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Surround View Camera with 3D view
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Lane Change Warning with Blind Spot Detection
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
Collision Warning with Brake Function
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ghost
Seat Material
Synthetic leather
Leather, Duality Twill or Bespoke alternatives
Heated Seats
Standard
Available, including rear-seat heating
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Available, including rear-seat cooling
Ambient Lighting
Not Available
Illuminated Fascia with celestial design
Steering Wheel Material
Imitation leather
Heated full-leather multifunction steering wheel
60 40 Split Seat
Not Available
No
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
Heated, electronically adjustable front seat with memory
Passenger Seat Adjustment
4-way manual
Heated, electronically adjustable front seat with memory
Seat Trim
Synthetic leather
Duality Twill embroidered seat upholstery available
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ghost
Climate Control
Electric air conditioner
Automatic four-zone climate control
Power Windows
Standard
Front and rear power windows with one-touch up/down
Keyless Entry
Standard
Comfort Access keyless entry
Push Button Start
Standard
Keyless start
Wireless Charging
Standard
Wireless smartphone charging
Sunroof
Not Available
No
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Power open/close luggage compartment
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Rain-sensing variable-speed windshield wipers
AC Type
Electric air conditioner
Automatic four-zone climate control
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ghost
Infotainment System
10.1-inch touchscreen
SPIRIT infotainment operated by touch, controller and voice commands; independent rear-screen streaming available
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Apple CarPlay compatibility
Android Auto
Standard
Android Auto compatibility
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Bluetooth wireless technology; rear passengers can pair headphones individually
Number of Speakers
4
16
Digital Instrument Cluster
7-inch digital instrument display
SPIRIT digital instrument interface
USB Ports
Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports
USB Type-C ports
Infotainment Screen
10.1
10.25-inch Central Information Display with touchscreen plus available independently streaming rear screens
Touchscreen
10.1
10.25-inch Central Information Display with touchscreen plus available independently streaming rear screens
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ghost
LED Headlamps
Standard
LED and laser headlights with more than 600 m illuminated range
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Series II daytime-running lights
Fog Lamps
Rear fog lamp
Front fog lamps
Roof Rails
Not Applicable
No; vehicle not approved for roof loads
Exterior Colour Options
Lime Green, Cream White, Cosmos Black, Ice Blue
Bespoke shades available, including Mustique Blue
Headlights
Standard
LED and laser headlights with more than 600 m illuminated range
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
No
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ghost
Approach Angle
15 deg
-
Departure Angle
25 deg
-
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
Not Available
No lockable differential
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Rolls-Royce all-wheel drive with all-wheel steering
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
-
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ghost
Tyre Size
185/55 R16
255/35 R22 102Y front and 285/30 R22 104Y rear; 255/40 R21 102Y front and 285/35 R21 105Y rear; 255/45 R20 105Y front and 285/40 R20 108Y rear; 255/45 R20 105V M+S all-round
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Power-assisted ventilated disc brakes
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Power-assisted ventilated disc brakes
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
No spare wheel
Wheel Rim Size
16
20-, 21- and 22-inch approved fitments
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Electromechanical parking brake acting on rear discs
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ghost
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
Planar Suspension with upper wishbone damper, electronic dampers and self-levelling air struts
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam
Five-link rear axle with self-levelling high-volume air suspension
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ghost
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
357 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
-
95 RON; minimum 91 RON
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ghost
Service Plan
4 years/2 services service plan
4 years / unlimited km
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ghost
Ownership Role
longer-range city derivative
Owner-driver-focused saloon with genuine rear-passenger accommodation
Price Zar
395900 ZAR
-
Pricing Role
longer-range city derivative
Price on application
Starting Price
395900
-
Starting Price Zar
395900
-
Spec
DOLPHIN SURF
Ghost
Warranty
3 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
4 years; regional conditions apply
In depth: how these cars differ
This DOLPHIN SURF and Ghost comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: DOLPHIN SURF 25 vs Ghost 100.
Efficiency index: DOLPHIN SURF 90 vs Ghost 30.
Safety-equipment index: DOLPHIN SURF 87 vs Ghost 99.
Practicality index: DOLPHIN SURF 51 vs Ghost 64.
Ownership-cover index: DOLPHIN SURF not separately scored vs Ghost not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
DOLPHIN SURF and Ghost image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
Ghost leads by 15 points
Ghost holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over DOLPHIN SURF.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Ghost
Performance
100/100
Efficiency
30/100
Safety
99/100
Practicality
64/100
DOLPHIN SURF
Performance
25/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
51/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexRolls-Royce Ghost
leads the specification evidence index with 76 pts
vs 61 pts for DOLPHIN SURF
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Ghost leads. However, DOLPHIN SURF may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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