BYD Seagull to turn into Australia’s “most inexpensive EV by some margin” underneath a brand new title
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BYD Australia has introduced it is going to introduce the all-electric Atto 1 metropolis hatch right here subsequent month, with the promise it is going to turn into the nation’s most inexpensive electrical automobile (EV).
The BYD Atto 1 – bought because the Seagull in China and the Dolphin Surf in Europe – will land concurrently the bigger Atto 2 small SUV, which BYD had beforehand confirmed for native showrooms however hadn’t introduced timing till now.
Each compact EVs might be joined by the Toyota RAV4-rivalling Sealion 5 PHEV mid-size SUV and the larger Sealion 8 PHEV massive SUV in early 2026, which can rival the Mazda CX-80 as the primary seven-seat BYD mannequin to look in native showrooms.
Native pricing, specs and additional particulars are but to be introduced, however the firm has made a assured declare about pricing for the Atto 1: “The Atto 1 might be Australia’s most inexpensive EV by some margin,” stated BYD Australia chief working officer, Stephen Collins, in an announcement.
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“As we’ve seen with these unimaginable gross sales numbers abroad, we anticipate actually robust pre-order curiosity regionally.”
At 3780mm lengthy and 1750mm vast, the Atto 1 is barely larger than the Kia Picanto however smaller than the Mazda 2, neither of which can be found as an EV.
In China, the Atto 1 prices between simply ¥69,800-¥85,800 (A$14,812-A$18,207) relying on mannequin grade.
Whereas costs received’t straight convert to Australian fashions, the Atto 1 might be positioned beneath the prevailing BYD Dolphin hatch’s present beginning value of $29,990 earlier than on-road prices – that means it might probably begin from $25,000 or much less.
Within the UK, the place it’s bought because the Dolphin Surf, the Atto 1 prices round two-thirds the worth of the Dolphin, and there’s an identical distinction between the 2 fashions in China, which might equate to a value nearer to $20,000 right here.
In China, the Atto 1 is powered by a single electrical motor driving the entrance wheels, delivering 55kW of energy and 135Nm of torque, fed by a BYD Blade LFP battery in both 30.08kWh or 38.88kWh capacities.
UK variations are provided with 30kWh and 43.2kWh battery packs, quoting WLTP driving ranges of 220km and 321km, respectively.
The entry-level mannequin within the UK rides on 15-inch wheels and has ‘vegan leather-based’ seat trim, a ten.1-inch rotatable infotainment touchscreen together with satellite tv for pc navigation in addition to Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity.
Greater-spec variants not solely rating the bigger battery, but in addition achieve 16-inch alloys, with the top-spec flagship fitted with heated entrance seats, wi-fi smartphone charging and a 360-degree digicam.
The BYD Atto 2 has additionally been confirmed for Australia with a 130kW/290Nm single-motor electrical powertrain and two mannequin grades – ‘Important’ and ‘Premium’ – however additional particulars are but to be introduced.
Each trim variants will include a 51.13kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) ‘BYD Blade’ battery. Whereas no driving vary has been confirmed, it will likely be longer than that of the most important 45.1kWh battery model bought abroad, which has a claimed WLTP vary of 312km.
A rival the Hyundai Kona Electrical and the Kia EV3, the BYD Atto 2 debuted in China in March 2024 and is bought underneath different names abroad together with Atto 3 Up, Yuan Professional and S1 Professional.
It’s anticipated to price lower than $39,990 earlier than on-roads, which is the beginning value of the bigger Atto 3 EV SUV – the primary BYD mannequin provided in Australia when the model launched regionally in 2022.
The arrival of the Atto 1 and a pair of will give BYD Australia three ‘Atto’ fashions, though the Atto 1 might be an outlier given it’s a hatch and never an SUV just like the Atto 2 and Atto 3.
November may even see the launch of BYD’s premium sister model Denza in Australia, with the Denza B5 and B8 plug-in hybrid 4WD SUVs confirmed as the primary fashions within the new Chinese language luxurious model’s native lineup.
MORE: Discover the BYD showroom
