BYD e2 breaks cover in China: Will this sub-Atto 3 SUV come to Australia?

BYD is in the process of refreshing its entire range in China, moving its models to a styling theme which is more consistent with the Atto 3.

The e2 has existed for some time in its home market as a kind of crossover hatchback, and the new model follows this trend. Measuring in at 4260mm long, 1760mm wide, and 1530mm tall, it is similar in size to the Toyota Yaris Cross, Kia Stonic, Volkswagen T-Cross, or Skoda Kamiq, and other small-hatchback-based crossover SUVs.

This puts it between the Atto 3 SUV (which is a size up, more like the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Seltos, or Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross) and the smaller BYD hatchback, known as the Dolphin in its home market, but suspected to be called the Atto 2 when it launches in Australia.

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The Dolphin will be the next BYD vehicle to hit the market in Australia, as it has been regularly seen testing in very light camouflage in Sydney and surrounds.

The e2 forgoes the previous-generation BYD styling which included a large grille, composite light clusters, and a dated interior design quite unlike the more contemporary look and feel of the Atto 3.

The images, filed with the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, also show changes between variants, which includes two alloy wheel designs, two light-cluster designs, and the option to have the roof with or without a panoramic sunroof.

The E2 measures in at 1760mm wide and 1530mm tall.

Chinese media is reporting it expects the e2 to carry over the 70kW electric motor which powers the current car, but further drivetrain details have not yet been revealed.

The outgoing e2 has three variants, two with the 70kW front-mounted electric motor with either a 33.2kWh or 43.2kWh battery pack, or a higher-spec version with a 100kW motor, exclusively with the larger 43.2kWh battery. Driving range stretches from 301km on the CLTC cycle for the base model, to 401km for the entry motor with the larger battery pack. In China it sits below the Atto 3 by a significant margin on the price-scale.

The brand has offered a car in its 'e' series locally before, the larger e6, which in its first generation hatchback form served on some taxi fleets during the 2010s, and in second-generation MPV form was offered in extremely limited volumes to private buyers in 2021.

The images filed with the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology show changes between the E2 variants.

BYD is expanding rapidly in export markets, and is on a roll, revealing a huge array of new products for the Chinese market. The leak of the e2 comes after the reveal of the BYD Seagull mini-hatchback, and the brand’s new sub-marque YangWang, which plans to launch a fully electric luxury off-roader, and the brand’s first supercar.

It is also working on a ute, which according to the local division will have input from Australia. The brand is set to launch the Atto 2 hatchback in Australia imminently, and the Atto 4 sedan next, in a similar segment to the Tesla Model 3.

BYD is off to a rolling start in Australia with its first keenly-priced mainstream model, the Atto 3 SUV, managing to move more than 2000 units in just a handful of months during 2022.