BYD Yuan Up Set to Debut in the UK as BYD Atto 2 – Malaysia Next?

The BYD Yuan Up subcompact EV SUV is set to enter the UK market as the BYD Atto 2. Is Malaysia next on the list?

BYD is ramping up its expansion in the European market, as it is poised to launch yet another all-electric SUV into the UK market, the BYD Atto 2. Based on China’s BYD Yuan Up, the BYD Atto 2 will arrive in the UK later in early 2025, where it will be the first right-hand drive (RHD) market to officially debut the subcompact EV SUV.

According to CarNewsChina, the UK-spec Atto 2 will be based on the single-motor variant of the Yuan Up, where it will feature a front-mounted (FWD) e-motor setup rated at 174 HP (130 kW) and 290 NM. Said motor is juiced by a small 42.4-kWh LFP-type battery pack that grants the Atto 2 up to 311 KM of maximum EV range.

Although no charging details are given by BYD for now, we can expect the Atto 2 to get the same charging capabilities as its bigger sibling, the BYD Atto 3, given both models underpin the same e-Platform 3.0.

With only one official photo provided for now, it seems like the Atto 2 closely resembles the Yuan Up, including the Dragon Face design language, as well as the overall SUV bodystyle. The only obvious difference between the Atto 2 and Yuan Up lies in the branding, with the former expected to replace the Yuan emblems with BYD and Atto 2 ones instead.

Dimension-wise, the Atto 2 measures 4,310 MM long, 1,830 MM wide, 1,675 MM tall, and a wheelbase of 2,620 MM, thus making it smaller than some Chinese EV crossovers currently on sale in our market, such as the Chery Omoda E5, GAC Aion Y Plus, and the BYD Atto 3.

Again, no interior shots of the Atto 2 were shared by BYD, although we’re expected to see the UK-spec model getting similar cabin equipment as the Yuan Up. In its domestic Chinese market, the Yuan Up’s cabin is primed with amenities such as a 12.8-inch central infotainment screen, an 8.8-inch digital metre cluster, a four-spoke steering wheel, suede- and leather-wrapped seats, a full panoramic sunroof, and many more.

In China, the BYD Yuan Up currently retails from CNY 96,800 to CNY 119,800 (RM59,539 to RM73,686), but we can surely expect the UK-bound BYD Atto 2 to be slapped with a slightly premium price. Now that we already know the Yuan Up is now available in RHD version in the form of the Atto 2, could we potentially see local BYD distributor Sime Motors bringing in this subcompact EV SUV into our market in the near future?