New small-to-midsize SUV boasts strong spec and adequate power, but no prices announced yet.
BYD has launched the Atto 2 SUV in Europe, revealing the car and some specs on its website but not yet confirming any prices.
Launched in China almost a year ago, the Atto 2, or Yuan Up as it’s known in China, is a small-to-midsize crossover, sitting roughly halfway between a Nissan Juke and Nissan Qashqai in overall dimensions, at 4,310mm long, 1,830mm wide, 1,675mm tall, and with a 2,620mm wheelbase.
It features the dragon face front end and Chinese knot taillight styling of the Dynasty series, like the BYD Han and Atto 3 models, rather than the Ocean series styling of the Seal and Sealions 6 and 7, though BYD has described the taillights as being reminiscent of the Möbius ring for European consumers.
European customers won’t get the pink option available in China, but will instead get a black variant to go with green, grey, and white options. All versions come with the blacked-out A-pillar and black window trim as standard, as well as partially concealed door handles and 17-inch alloys.
It’ll come in two trim levels in Europe, Active and Boost, both (we believe) using the larger of the two batteries offered in China, which is a 45.12kWh Blade battery offering up to 312km of range on the WLTP cycle.
While the Atto 2 isn’t the fastest charging EV on the market, it’ll nevertheless charge at up to 65kW on a DC fast charger, and go from 30-80 percent in 28 minutes.
The claimed 7.9-second 0-100kph acceleration confirms that the the Atto 2 will also get the more powerful motor set up, which comprises a 170kW, 228hp motor on the front axle producing 290Nm of torque, making the Atto 2 good for a top speed of 160kph / 99mph.
There’s also a V2L function available via the front wing-mounted AC charging port that’ll enable up to 3.3kW powering of external devices.
Inside, it appears only the black interior upholstery is available, which is vegan leather as standard. Heating is available on the front two seats on the Boost trim, and 6-way electronic driver’s seat adjustment, 4-way on the passenger seat, should be standard on both.
The dashboard is also all-black with only a few metallic flourishes, and comes with an 8.8-inch information screen for the driver and a 12.8-inch rotatable screen in the centre on the Boost edition. This is the smaller 10.1-inch screen on the entry-level Active edition.
The screen boasts satellite navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an app store, intelligent voice control, and a 4G connection as standard, as well as over-the-air updates.
There’s also a 360-degree transparent chassis for easy parking on the Boost variant, while the Active spec gets front and rear parking sensors and a rear camera.
Other comfort-oriented features include a large panoramic window to let maximum light into the cabin, a heated steering wheel on the Boost variant, and either six or eight speakers depending on the chosen spec.
There doesn’t appear to be a frunk, but there’s up to 400 litres of space in the boot with the rear seats up, and up to 1,340 litres with the seats folded down.
A heat pump is also included as standard to boost efficiency in both hot and cold temperatures, as well as NFC keyless entry with a card or phone, and the ability to set the cabin temperature remotely via an app.
Autonomous driving functions are limited to the basics of adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist, but an extensive safety package includes six airbags as well as front and rear collision warnings and rear cross-traffic automatic braking, and blind-spot monitoring and door-opening warning.
