BYD Atto 2: the new Chinese "cheap" challenger on its way to European garages

Recently, BYD, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, has surpassed even Tesla in terms of sales figures, putting the company at the center of attention in the European electric vehicle market. By launching three new models in the UK - Atto 3, Dolphin and Seal - in less than a year, BYD is showing ambitions to expand into the rest of Europe. The latest addition, the Atto 2, promises to become a major player in the small SUV segment with a price tag of around €35,000.

BYD Atto 2, known in the Chinese market as Yuan Up, is the smaller brother of the popular Atto 3 and represents an interesting offer for European buyers. Given its positioning between the Dolphin and Atto 3 could the Atto 2 come to the European market with a starting price of around €35,000 (the price is too high), which would put it in direct competition with vehicles such as MINI Ev, Jeep Avenger and Volvo EX30, Smar 1, …. However, the price of €35,000 should be at least €5,000 lower for this car to be considered affordable. Since the prices are not yet known, I hope for the wisdom of the manufacturer.

The first pictures of the vehicle that have appeared on Chinese social networks show a unique design that combines elements characteristic of BYD with some innovative design solutions, such as Citroen's 'Airbumps'. The high roof and the design of the rear of the vehicle give BYD Atto 2 similar appearance to Citroen C5 Aircross, while the complex design of the rear lights is derived from the Dolphin

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Interior Atto 2 is quite conventional and features a floating touchscreen and a digital driver display, suggesting that BYD aims to combine innovation with user-friendly design.

BYD Atto 2 will appear on the market with two electric motor options that reflect the flexibility and technical sophistication typical of BYD. With the base version offering a motor with power 94 hp (70 kW), the Atto 2 is designed for those looking for a balanced combination of efficiency and performance for everyday city driving. For more demanding drivers, a more powerful version with an engine that develops is available 174 hp (130 kW) of power, which ensures a more dynamic ride and greater responsiveness. Both options underline BYD's commitment to providing diverse solutions that meet the different needs and desires of users. Buyers will also have a choice of two battery packs, namely a pack with 32 kWh and a larger pack with 45.1 kWh (not enough). The range of a small SUV will range between 301 km (187 miles) and 401 km (249 miles).

Technical data about five-seater SUV are still sketchy for now, but documents released by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) reveal that the Atto 2 will measure 4,310mm in length, 1,830mm in width and 1,675mm in height, with a 2,620mm wheelbase – dimensions comparable to a potential competitor, the Smart #1 Where it seems to be "practically" the same vehicle with slightly different guts.