BYD gears up to introduce the Atto 2 in Europe

The prices will indeed be interesting, as BYD announces the Atto 2 as an “affordable SUV for the European market.” The Atto 3, with which BYD once launched in Europe, is offered at prices starting at 37,990 euros. The Dolphin compact electric vehicle, on the other hand, is priced at 35,690 euros in the German BYD configurator – both have a 60.5 kWh battery. With this announcement, the Atto 2 is likely to be priced below this.

About the vehicle itself: The Atto 2 is 4.31 metres long, 1.83 metres wide and 1.68 metres high – so around five centimetres longer, but over ten centimetres higher than a VW. ID.3, to give a rough classification. BYD itself states that the Atto 2 is 14.5 centimetres shorter and 4.5 centimetres narrower than the Atto 3. The new model is intended to combine “characteristic SUV design features with compact dimensions.” BYD itself speaks of a “comparatively long wheelbase of 2,620 mm in order to increase the space available in the interior.” Although the ID.3 we used as a reference is shorter, it has a wheelbase of 2.77 metres.

Like the larger Atto 3, the Atto 2 is also based on BYD’s e-Platform 3.0. However, the more modern Atto 2 is the first compact BYD model to utilise a cell-to-body (CTB) design. This means that the battery is fully integrated into the vehicle chassis – as a load-bearing component. To give a concrete example: The cover of the battery housing is also the floor of the interior. “This saves space and ensures
and ensures exceptionally high body rigidity. The CTB design is unique to BYD and a novelty in the compact SUV segment,” the press release states.

The battery pack uses BYD’s well-known blade batteries, which are relatively large cells with robust LFP cell chemistry. At market launch, the Chinese manufacturer is only offering a relatively small pack with a nominal capacity of 45.1 kWh. With the 130 kW front-wheel drive, this should provide a range of 312 kilometres according to the WLTP. BYD has announced that a version with a larger battery will follow “in the course of the year.” Further information on this will be available at the market launch of the Atto 2 in Germany, which is planned for March 2025. Until then, it is unclear how much the Atto 2 will cost and how big the larger battery will be.

The BYD Dolphin, which at just under 4.30 metres is similar in length to the Atto 2 and is also based on the e-platform 3.0. The Dolphin is currently available with 44.5 and 60.5 kWh battery options. It therefore seems possible that the Atto 2 will also have a battery in the 60 kWh range – although the Dolphin has a longer wheelbase at 2.77 metres.

With around 60 kWh, BYD would be in a range that is well known on the European market in the compact segment: the aforementioned ID.3 offers a battery option with 59 kWh for 434 WLTP kilometres (currently from 32,855 euros), and the 4.30-metre-long Kia EV3 (from 35,990 euros) is also equipped with 58.3 kWh in the base version. However, both Kia and VW also offer larger battery options of around 80 kWh in their models. Whether BYD will also offer this is unlikely.

However, with the basic concept of the Atto 2, BYD is targeting a segment that is in demand in Europe. In terms of design, BYD has opted for a more conventional approach, with classic headlights and a black element between the front lights that is almost reminiscent of a radiator grille. Narrow LED headlights and a continuous light strip at the front are not found here. However, there is an LED strip at the rear, which connects the two rear lights. According to BYD, these are reminiscent of a Chinese knot like a horizontal figure of eight – a symbol of “infinite happiness.”

For the time being, the Atto 2 is likely to be imported from China to Europe, but probably not for long. BYD plans to start production at its European plant in Hungary at the end of 2025, initially with the Atto 3 and Dolphin. The Atto 2 will then be the third model to roll off the production line in Hungary – presumably in the course of 2026.

“We are excited to start 2025 with another important model for our plans in Europe,” says Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD. “The small car segment is incredibly popular here, and with the Atto 2 we have a manoeuvrable and versatile vehicle that will appeal to this large potential customer base. The Atto 2 combines all of BYD’s strengths in batteries, electric motors and cell-to-body design in a compact package that brings new smart technologies to the city SUV class.”

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