Chinese auto giant BYD its European lineup by adding a plug-in hybrid version of its popular compact SUV, the Atto 2. Previously available only as a pure battery-electric vehicle, this new variant—dubbed the Atto 2 DM-i—is set to hit the market with an ambitious goal: to “redefine” the compact SUV segment.
BYD calls its plug-in hybrids DM-i, which stands for “Dual Mode-intelligent.” This technology is central to the Atto 2 DM-i, which will be offered in two different versions.
The headline-grabbing number is the purely electric range of up to 90 kilometers ($55.9$ miles) on a single charge. For many commuters, that’s enough to cover their daily drive without ever sipping a drop of fuel! When the combustion engine kicks in, the total combined range swells to an impressive 1,020 kilometers (633.8 miles).
While the overall dimensions of the 4.31-meter-long Atto 2 remain unchanged, the DM-i version features a few subtle design updates to differentiate it from its all-electric sibling:
– A larger middle front grille
– Decorative lower elements in the front bumper
– Removal of the side vents in the front wings
– Redesigned badging on the tailgate
PHEV buyers also get an exclusive new exterior color option: “Midnight Blue.”
The BYD Atto 2 DM-i is making its European debut this week at the Fleet Europe Days in Luxembourg. Following that, the company plans to introduce the vehicle to the media in November.
Pre-sales are expected to start shortly after the media introduction, with first deliveries scheduled for the first quarter of 2026. BYD has not yet announced how much the Atto 2 DM-i will cost.
