BYD’s adding four new models to its line-up

BYD Australia has announced a rapid expansion of its local portfolio, confirming the pint-sized Atto 1 and 2 for release next month and the Sealion 5 and 8 for early 2026.

Local pricing and specification details for any of these models is yet to be confirmed at this early stage, but we can still take a quick look at their specs overseas.

The Atto 1 is offered in China with either a 30kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery or a bigger 38.88kWh Blade unit offering 305km and 405km of range respectively, both of which sustain a 55kW e-motor good for 0-100km/h in 14.9 seconds.

The Atto 2 predictably ups the ante in every respect with a 130kW/290Nm motor, 51.1kWh Blade battery and a range of up to 345km.

Switching to the plug-in hybrids, the Sealion 5 will sit between the existing Atto 3 and Sealion 6 in terms of size and could be in with a shout of becoming Australia’s cheapest PHEV.

It combines a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (74kW) with a 120kW e-motor, a continuously variable transmission and one of two Blade battery options – 12.9kWh (75km EV range) and 18.3kWh (115km EV range) – for a combined fuel consumption of between 1.1L and 1.9L/100km.

The bigger Sealion 8 meantime can be had with front- or all-wheel-drive, the latter offering quite a bit more performance.

Chinese specifications confirm a 110kW/220Nm 1.5-litre petrol engine, a 200kW/315Nm e-motor and 19kWh battery pack for the former and an additional 141kW/360Nm motor on the rear axle for the latter, plus a bigger 35.6kWh battery.

The all-paw ‘DM-p’ system outputs a combined 341kW/675Nm, dispensing 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.9 seconds.

Both the new Atto models will arrive in local showrooms next month before the Sealions come ashore early next year.

Pricing for all models will be announced ahead of their respective releases, though BYD’s usually aggressive pricing means they’ll all be big on value, especially in the electrified sectors.

“The ATTO 1 will be Australia’s most affordable EV by some margin, opening the door for even more Australians to get behind the wheel of their own new energy vehicle,” BYD Australia COO Stephen Collins said.

“With our growing mix of PHEVs and pure EVs, what it proves is that BYD is committed to providing Australian consumers with choice in starting – or continuing – their new energy automotive journeys.”

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au