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 ready for an Australian arrival.
Sold in China as the BYD Yuan Up, the Atto 2 was confirmed by Green NCAP – a European vehicle testing organization that is a sibling of Euro NCAP – for launch in January, less than a year after it debuted in the home market.
While neither name is trademarked in Australia, the Atto 3 Up nameplate is and has become the most likely candidate for what we could see the Atto 2/Yuan Up as seen 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 130 kW of power and 290 Nm of torque.
The European versions are powered by a 42.4 kWh (net capacity/45.1 kWh gross) lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, which according to Green NCAP resulted in an average energy consumption of 21.9 kWh/100 km over the four tests, for a theoretical driving range of 244 km.
This differs from the figure given by BYD for the approximately 312 km WLTP laboratory test, but it appears that the Green NCAP tests were carried out at 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 32 kWh battery pack (gross capacity) and a 70 kW/180 Nm electric motor. This smaller battery can be DC charged up to 45 kW, while the larger unit can handle 65 kW.
The Atto 2 tested reportedly weighed 1590kg and was fitted with 17-inch wheels with 215/60 tyres.
It’s 4310mm long, 1830mm wide and 1675mm high on a 2620mm wheelbase, meaning it’s 145mm shorter, 45mm narrower and 60mm lower than an Atto 3 with 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.
Higher up the Yuan Up range, a range of active safety features are available, along with features such as a head-up display, heated and electrically adjustable front seats and a panoramic glass roof.
There’s an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.1- or 12.8-inch rotating central touchscreen.
Pricing for Europe has yet to be confirmed, but the Atto 2 is expected to slot in below the Atto 3, which will cost between £37,695 ($74,700) and £39,695 ($78,660) in Britain.
For context, in Australia the Atto 3 will cost between $44,499 and $47,499, excluding on-road costs, while the Atto 3 Up may end up at less than $40,000 when it gets here.
“The pipeline of new products is super exciting. We are exploring the entire BYD range and if there is demand for a specific model or segment, the vehicle will be brought in,” a BYD Australia spokesperson said. AutoExpert earlier this month when asked about the Atto 3 Up trademark.
“There are discussions about this vehicle, but we cannot confirm anything at this time.”
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