BYD has revealed pricing for its latest model in China, a tiny hatchback that will sit under the confirmed-for-Australia Atto 2 hatch, to serve as the brand’s entry-level EV overseas.
The tiny hatch bears the name ‘Seagull’ for the Chinese market, keeping in line with the ‘Ocean’ series of electric cars the brand has already released. For reference, these include the ‘Dolphin’ hatch which we will know locally as the roughly Corolla-sized Atto 2, and the Tesla Model 3-rivalling ‘Seal’ sedan, which it seems likely to be called the Atto 4.
So would the Seagull be a good fit for Australia if it were to arrive as the Atto 1? Chinese media is reporting the pricing for the small hatch will kick off from just ¥80,000 (AUD$18,000) topping out below ¥100,000 (AUD$22,000), making it likely that it would be easy for this car to claim the title of Australia’s cheapest EV, although as usual it will have to face the same design hurdles preventing other cheap cars from making it to our market.
These include the increasingly stringent ADR rules, which could prevent the car from being homologated in the first place, and then safety watchdog ANCAP, which would likely slap a car this small with a sub-five-star rating, something no brand in Australia wants.
These are the same hurdles facing potential micro-hatch rivals from launching in Australia, like, for example, the Mitsubishi eK X kei car, which Mitsubishi is in the process of studying for an Australian launch, although to Mitsubishi’s advantage the eK X is already produced in right-hand drive.
It is likely the China-sourced BYD would undercut the Mitsubishi though, using the brand’s signature LFP battery technology to keep costs low.
Unlike the eK X, the Seagull also is slightly larger than the smallest car currently on sale in Australia, the Kia Picanto, allowing it the room for a healthy battery capacity, with ranges up to 405km (on the more lenient Chinese CLTC testing cycle).
Standard features also appear to include items like 15- or 16-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting all-round, camera-based auto emergency braking (AEB) and adaptive cruise control, app connectivity with an NFC key, and a similar curvy interior design as already seen on the Atto 3 SUV.
Inside is a 10.1-inch multimedia touchscreen.Inside features include a 10.1-inch multimedia touchscreen, a wireless charging pad, and climate control, with synthetic leather interior trim, although the Seagull is only a four-seat proposition. Charging on DC is as fast as 40kW, allowing a charge in just under an hour from 10 per cent.
Battery capacities come in at 30.08kWh granting a 305km range (for the entry-level circa AU$18k version) or a 38.88kWh good for a 405km driving range. As is usually the case for small EVs like this for overseas markets, the Seagull’s electric motor produces just 55kW/135Nm. At least its maximum speed is 135km/h, as opposed to the 100km/h limit which some small Chinese cars have.
Next for Australia is the long-awaited launch of the larger Atto 2 hatch, which was delayed from an expected launch of late 2022, now due by mid-2023. The hatch looks to be Australia’s most affordable EV when it arrives, with prices looking likely to start in the low $40,000 region. As it is, the Atto 2 will need to be priced below $44,490 to be cheaper than its recently-launched Chinese rival, the GWM Ora.
Keyword: BYD Atto 1? Would this small $18k electric car with 400km of range work in Australia? Could it be our cheapest EV yet?