Two more models will arrive in BYD showrooms in the next six months, and one of them will be the most affordable electric vehicle in the country.
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BYD Australia will expand its model line-up with an additional two new vehicles arriving soon, one of which will become the countries new cheapest all-electric model.
Arriving in showrooms in November alongside the already-confirmed Atto 2, the Atto 1 – known as the Dolphin Surf, Dolphin Mini, and Seagull in overseas markets – will slot in under the $29,990 before on-road costs Dolphin as the brand’s new price leader.
While BYD Australia is yet to confirm exact pricing, BYD COO Stephen Collins is promising an affordable price point that could make it lineball with the petrol-powered competitors like the Mazda 2 (from $28,190), Suzuki Swift (from $24,490), and Toyota Yaris (from $28,990).
“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,” Collins said in the release.
“We expect really strong pre-order interest locally.”
Australian-spec is yet to be confirmed, but in the UK, the Dolphin Surf is available with either a 30kWh or 43.2kWh battery, with driving range ratings based on the WLTP standard of 220km and 322km respectively.
The single-motor model produces either 65kW or 115kW, depending on trim.
In terms of size, the Atto 1 is 3990mm long, 1715mm wide, 1590mm tall, and rides on a 2500mm wheelbase, placing around the same size as a Yaris.
Aside from the Atto 1, the Sealion 5, which will launch alongside the Sealion 8 in early 2026, has also been locked in for local showrooms.
Related to the Song Pro available in overseas markets, the Sealion 5 will be another plug-in hybrid mid-size SUV sold alongside the Sealion 6.
However, the Sealion 5 is smaller than its sibling, measuring 4710mm long, 1880mm wide, 1720mm tall, and with a 2712mm wheelbase.
Overseas versions are available with a 1.5-litre engine and single electric motor for a combined output of 120kW/210Nm.
However, two battery sizes are on offer, a 12.9kWh or 18.3kWh version for WLTP-certified all-electric driving range ratings of 64km or 93km.
These two models are in addition to the Atto 2 small electric SUV and Sealion 8 three-row plug-in hybrid large SUV confirmed earlier this year.
BYD Australia will also launch its Denza premium sub-brand later this year with the B5 and B8 SUVs, but the line-up will be bulked out by models from Yangwang, Denza, and Fangchengbao.
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Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
