BYD REVEALS PRICING FOR ITS ALL-NEW ATTO 2 

Words by Mark Slack

Founded in 1995 as a rechargeable battery maker Chinese car maker BYD has been an increasingly dominant presence with its model line-up gaining praise for the build quality and, in EV terms, affordable pricing. The company has announced prices for its lead-in, and what it says is its most accessible, SUV: the ATTO 2. The all-new ATTO 2 is available in two trim levels – Boost and Comfort – with prices starting from £30,850 on-the-road for the Boost version, while the Comfort trim level starts at £34,950 on-the-road. 

Although more than happy on longer journeys the ATTO 2 is aimed at being more of an urban electric car, with no features normally the preserve of larger models. Standard equipment on the ATTO 2 includes such items as a 12.8-inch central touchscreen that can be rotated between portrait and landscape positions at the touch of a button. Wireless smartphone charging; high-tech audio system with eight speakers; intelligent voice control and vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology, which enables owners to power external devices such as a coffee machine or lawnmower. Personally, I’m not quite sure I’d use the feature but perhaps out at the park for the day then it might well prove useful!

The lead-in trim Boost models feature a 51.1kWh battery which offers a potential range of up to 214 miles in mixed driving and a potential range of 302 miles for city driving. It is fitted with an 82kW DC on-board charger which means it can charge from 30 to 80% in just 30 minutes if you locate one of the fast chargers that seem to be appearing more frequently. 

Meanwhile, higher trim Comfort models benefit from a larger 64.8kWh battery which offers up to 261 miles of range. A 155kW on-board DC charger is fitted as standard, allowing the ATTO 2 to charge in as little as 21 minutes from 30 to 80%. Again, suitable chargers being available.

The Blade Battery that powers BYD models is designed to deliver durability and performance. and, for the first time on a compact BYD, uses what is known as cell-to-body (CTB) technology. CTB integrates the battery completely into the vehicle chassis, with the top cover of the pack acting as the floor for the passenger compartment. The layout, which is unique to BYD and a first in the compact SUV segment, delivers improved packaging and exceptional levels of body rigidity.

Words by Mark Slack