BYD confirms electric hatchback, sports sedan for NZ

BYD Auto New Zealand has confirmed the next two models destined for local showrooms; the Atto 2 hatchback [below] and Atto 4 medium sedan [above].

The two models are set to join the recently announced Atto 3, which had its trim levels and pricing confirmed late last week.

The news comes via a live stream Q&A session hosted last Thursday by EVs & Beyond with BYD Auto New Zealand brand manager Warren Willmot and Andrew Simms Newmarket dealer principal Matthew Wales.

In it, Willmot confirmed exclusively that the Atto 2 (badged in some markets as the Dolphin or EA1) and Atto 4 (badged overseas as the Seal) will be the next models to join the fledging local BYD line-up.

“We will have vehicles to suit every part of the market, within a relatively short space of time. It is BYD’s aim to have a vehicle for every market segment, and vehicles that are suitable for New Zealand,” said Willmot.

“In the next product line-up we are committed to bringing two new models to market, one being a smaller car called the Atto 2, and it’ll be a really affordable highly spec’d hatch.

“Around the same sort of time we will have a high performance sports sedan, the Atto 4 or in other markets the BYD Seal. It’s a beautiful car, and it’s got some amazing technology.”

The Atto 2 lines up as a likely contender for the crown of New Zealand’s cheapest electric vehicle.

Asked whether the Atto 2 could be priced around the $30,000 mark, unprecedented territory for an EV in New Zealand, Willmot was coy.

“I’m not quite sure we’ll get it that cheap, but we’ll definitely make sure it is a value proposition product and highly spec’d,” he said.

The BYD brand manager added that a plug-in hybrid SUV “bigger than the Atto 3” is the next likely model for our market for 2023. This most likely alludes to the BYD Tang.

The Atto 2 is sold in its home market with either a 30.7kWh battery or a 44.9kWh battery (both being proprietary Blade units), with range rated at 301km and up to 405km, respectively.

At 4070mm long and 1770mm wide, it’s slightly larger than the likes of the Volkswagen Polo and Kia Rio. There are two electric motor options; a base 70kW/180Nm motor or a 130kW/290Nm motor.

The Atto 4, meanwhile, lines up as a direct shot at the likes of the similarly proportioned Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2. It’s likely to attract more premium positioning, due to its technology and its large batteries.

The Atto 4 range overseas starts with a 61.4kWh, 550km model, with more expensive models utilising a much larger 82.5kWh Blade battery to achieve a credible claimed range of up to 700km.

The Atto 4’s overseas flagship pairs the larger battery to an all-wheel drive system and a 390kW electric motor. According to BYD it’s capable of hitting 100km/h in 3.8 seconds.

A 10.25-inch digital cluster, a massive 15.6-inch rotating infotainment touchscreen, bi-directional charging, and charging speeds of up to 150kW mean the Atto 4 could be a force to be reckoned with in the EV market.

Willmot confirmed that New Zealand would miss out on the current BYD T3 electric van, offered in Australia. “There is a replacement for that van under development, and that is a product we are likely to see within the next 12 to 24 months,” he said.

The ute segment and seven-seater SUV segment are few and far between in New Zealand. Willmot says that BYD is expected to deliver both, although timing is uncertain.

During the live stream, he noted an electric seven-seater could arrive in the next two years, adding that he “wouldn’t be surprised” if an EV ute followed by the end of 2025.

“Whoever comes to market with an electric ute with genuine carrying capacity and genuine towing range is away. We know the demand is there, we know that buyers want it. But if we look at any brand around the world, we’re not seeing that technology anywhere yet,” added Wales.

“We all want it, we’d all love it, we’re all pushing for it, but time will tell when we see type of product.”

You can view an archived version of the full Q&A live stream below: