The BYD Atto 2 could become one of the Chinese giant’s most affordable electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe when it launches there next month, but it’s not yet locked in for an Australian arrival.
Sold in China as the BYD Yuan Up, the Atto 2 was confirmed by Green NCAP – a European vehicle testing organisation which is a sibling of Euro NCAP – for a launch in January, less than a year after it debuted in its home market.
While neither name has been trademarked in Australia, the Atto 3 Up nameplate has, becoming the most likely candidate as what we could see the Atto 2/Yuan Up sold as here.
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According to Green NCAP, the Atto 2 will be sold in Europe with a single electric motor driving the front wheels, delivering up to 130kW of power and 290Nm of torque.
European versions are fed by a 42.4kWh (net capacity/45.1kWh gross) lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, which Green NCAP said resulted in an average energy consumption of 21.9kWh/100km across its four tests, for a theoretical driving range of 244km.
This differs from the circa-312km WLTP lab test driving range figure declared by BYD, however it appears the Green NCAP tests were conducted across extreme temperatures, with the cold test being held at an ambient temperature of -7 degrees celsius.
In China, the Yuan Up is also offered with a 32kWh (gross capacity) battery pack and a 70kW/180Nm electric motor. This smaller battery can be DC charged at up to 45kW, while the larger unit can accept 65kW.
The tested Atto 2 reportedly tipped the scales at 1590kg, and was fitted with 17-inch wheels shod in 215/60 tyres.
It measures 4310mm long, 1830mm wide and 1675mm tall on a 2620mm wheelbase, meaning it’s 145mm shorter, 45mm narrower and 60mm lower than an Atto 3 on a 100mm shorter wheelbase.
Base versions of the Yuan Up in China are sold without standard active safety technology including autonomous emergency braking, which will be mandatory on all new cars in Australia from March 2025.
A range of active safety features is available higher up in the Yuan Up range, along with features such as a head-up display, heated and power-adjustable front seats, and a panoramic glass roof.
There’s an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster and either a 10.1- or 12.8-inch rotating central touchscreen.
Pricing is yet to be confirmed for Europe, however the Atto 2 is expected to slot in below the Atto 3, which is priced between £37,695 ($74,700) to £39,695 ($78,660) in the UK.
For context, in Australia the Atto 3 is priced between $44,499 to $47,499 before on-road costs, with the Atto 3 Up potentially landing at less than $40,000 if it does come here.
“The new product pipeline is super exciting. We’re exploring the entire BYD range and if the demand is here for a specific model or segment, the vehicle will be brought in,” a BYD Australia spokesperson told CarExpert earlier this month when asked about the Atto 3 Up trademark.
“There are discussions around this vehicle, but nothing we can confirm at this stage.”
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