2025 BYD Atto 3 Up firming for Oz
New trademark suggests smaller, cut-price SUV to take on the MG ZS EV is on the way to AustraliaBYD is paving the way for yet another battery-powered SUV in Australia and the BYD Atto 3 Up could be its cheapest electric SUV yet.
That’s because the Chinese car-maker has filed a patent to secure the Atto 3 Up nameplate in Australia and New Zealand, signalling the brand’s intent to introduce the smaller SUV – which is already sold in China as the BYD Yuan Up – to Australia.
Underpinned by the same e-Platform 3.0 architecture as the Atto 3 and?BYD Dolphin hatch, the Yuan Up rides on a 2620mm wheelbase and measures 4310mm long, 1830mm wide and 1675mm tall, which makes it roughly the same size as the?Hyundai Kona.
The larger Atto 3, for reference, measures in at 4455mm, 1875mm and 1615mm, respectively, and has a much longer 2720mm wheelbase.
In China, the Atto 3 Up gets a single motor with power outputs that stretch from 70kW/180Nm to 130kW/290Nm and can launch from 0-100km/h in 7.9 seconds.
Combined with a 45.1kWh Blade battery pack BYD claims a range of up to 401km, although that is on the more generous Chinese CLTC test cycle, so expect closer to 350km of real-world range.
Meanwhile, a smaller, more affordable 32kWh battery is available on the base version that's said to see the small SUV cover up to 301km (CLTC).
Inside, the Atto 3 Up comes with an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.1- or 12.8-inch rotating infotainment, multi-function steering wheel, head-up display, leather-appointed seats, smartphone mirroring, LED lighting, sport-style front seats and a 60:40-split folding second row.
Higher grades add a fixed glass roof, electric seats plus a more powerful premium sound system.
In China the Atto 3 Up is priced from just 96,800 yuan ($A20,500), although that model is said to lack the advanced safety kit required to meet stricter Australian regulations.
Expect the 2025 BYD Atto 3 Up to be priced closer to $A40,000 if a decision is made by the local importer to introduce it, undercutting the BYD Atto 3’s $44,499 (plus ORCs) local starting price.
One barrier to its entry could be fears over the Atto 3 Up stealing sales from the similarly priced BYD Dolphin hatch, priced from $36,890 (plus ORCs) in Australia.
Related: 2024 BYD Yuan Up small electric SUV revealed
Related: BYD Dolphin 2023 Review
Related: BYD's next-gen Blade batteries launching in 2025 with more range
Related: Behind the scenes of the BYD Shark 6 launch
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