Next-gen BYD Atto 1 set for 20 October reveal, now bigger, rear-drive and five-seat
BYD will officially unveil the second-generation Atto 1 on 20 October at the Zhengzhou International Circuit in China. Known as the Seagull in its home market, the new car is a far bigger and more grown-up hatch than the BYD Atto 1 sold in Australia today, with rear-wheel drive, a fifth seat and a front boot.
The timing matters locally. The current Atto 1 has only been on sale here since late 2025, yet it already holds the title of Australia's cheapest new electric car, with the Essential grade from $19,990 drive-away.
How much bigger is the new Atto 1
Chinese government certification filings show the new model measures 4205mm long, 1810mm wide and 1570mm tall, riding on a 2650mm wheelbase. That puts it closer to a small hatch like the BYD Dolphin than a city car, and it opens room for a conventional five-seat layout in place of the four seats in the current Australian car.
| Measurement | Current Atto 1 (Australia) | Next-gen Atto 1 (China filings) |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3990mm | 4205mm |
| Wheelbase | 2500mm | 2650mm |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Rear suspension | Torsion beam | Multi-link independent |
| Front boot | No | Yes, about 94 litres |
Rear-drive layout and new hardware
The biggest engineering change is the move from a front-mounted motor to a rear-mounted one. In Chinese specification a 95kW motor drives the rear axle, and the freed-up space under the bonnet becomes a front storage compartment. Independent multi-link rear suspension replaces the simpler torsion beam, which should improve ride and handling.
Battery options of about 30kWh and 39.2kWh have been reported for China, with claimed CLTC range of roughly 320km to 420km. Upper grades are expected to gain access to BYD's ultra-fast flash charging and an optional lidar-based driver assist package. These details are expected to be confirmed at the reveal and may differ for right-hand-drive markets.
What it means for Australia's cheapest EV
BYD Australia has not confirmed if or when the new Atto 1 will arrive, and it has not said whether the new car would replace the current model or sit alongside it. Given the current Atto 1 is barely a year into its local life, the next-gen car is expected to be some time away.
For buyers, that means the current Atto 1 Essential and Premium remain the benchmark for low-cost EV ownership, priced from $19,990 to $27,990. A larger, rear-drive replacement would likely cost more to build, so it may move the Atto 1 up in price and size, leaving a gap at the very bottom of the market for rivals such as the Geely EX2 and GAC Aion UT.
If you are weighing up a small EV now, our comparison of the MG4 Urban and BYD Atto 1 is a good place to start.
Our take
The new Atto 1 looks like a genuine step up in space and sophistication. For Australian shoppers, though, the current car is the one you can actually buy, and its sharp price is unlikely to be matched by a bigger successor. Expect more details, including battery and range figures, after the 20 October reveal.
