ATT’S THE WAY TO DO IT: BYD Atto 2 DM-i is a Super Hybrid and a super SUV with an EV range of 56miles and a combined hybrid range over 600 miles 

THERE’S no let-up in the volume of vehicles being released by BYD.

But if you think all of its models are fully electric, think again, as the Chinese manufacturer introduces the new Atto 2 DM-i, a super hybrid no FIRST less, that’s BYD language DRIVE: for plug-in hybrid.

After seeing the success BYD of the SEAL U DM-i, the DM-i best-selling PHEV model in several key European markets.

It was a no-brainer for BYD to take the Atto 2, that was already on sale as a fully electric model, and create a super hybrid version – and so the Atto 2 DM-i was born.

BYD chose Barcelona for the international launch and it was refreshing to be testing this new compact SUV in sunshine and a balmy 14 degrees.

As you can see from the images, it’s a great-looking machine, especially in this fetching Midnight Blue finish that is unique to the super hybrid models.

The Atto 2 DM-i is 4,330mm long, 1,830mm wide, 1,675mm tall and has a 2,620mm wheelbase with short, front 2 and rear overhangs that Atto emphasise its SUV image.

Up front there’s full-LED headlights, slim daytime-running lights and the bumper features vertical air curtains that help boost its efficiency.

The sides of the Atto 2’s lower cladding is broken up by body-coloured highlights, then at the rear there’s a sporty roof spoiler, full-width light bar and distinctive rear lights plus a DM-i badge.

And in case you didn’t know, DM stands for Dual Mode and i for Intelligent.

The majority of the time it’s an EV, where the wheels are driven solely by the electric motor, and the engine supplies charge to the battery and motor via an inverter.

But when additional power is required, HEV mode can switch from Series to Parallel, combining the power of the petrol engine and the electric motor together.

The super hybrid system consists of a 1.5-litre petrol engine that has a thermal efficiency of 43.0 per cent and it’s combined with an electric and BYD blade battery.

There are two powertrain options, Active spec that has a smaller 7.8kWh battery with a system output of 166bhp and a pure-electric range of 25 miles and an overall combined hybrid range of 578 miles.

Then Atto 2 DM-i Boost model that I tested comes with a bigger 18.0KWh battery and a power output of 210bhp and 340Nm of torque.

So it’s good for a leisurely 0-62mph sprint in 7.5secs with a top speed of 112mph.

The Boost model’s pure-electric range is boosted to 56 miles.

And it has a combined hybrid range well over 600 miles so you never have to worry about range anxiety.

Although it doesn’t support DC fast charging, using a 6.6kW AC charger, the battery can go from 15-100 per cent in three hours.

It’s always hard to judge the driving dynamics of a vehicle on unfamiliar ground, especially when it’s left-hand drive and you’re on the wrong side of the road.

But during our test that covered city, motorway and hilly, mountainous terrain, the Atto 2 DM-i was very enjoyable to drive.

It’s more comfortable than overly sporty, but refined with softly sprung suspension that should do a good job of coping with rougher Northern Irish roads than I experienced in sunny Spain.

And I only ever felt the engine kick in when using Sport mode and accelerating hard so you benefit from instant torque and the quiet, smooth driving qualities you expect from an EV.

You don’t even need petrol power for small journeys, as mentioned before, it can travel up to 56 miles on electric power only.

And at all times the Atto 2 DM-i’s intelligent control system is working away to deliver an official fuel economy figure of 156mpg with low 44g/km CO2 emissions.

But BYD say even with a flat battery it will still manage to return an impressive 55mpg.

As you come to expect from BYD models, the Atto 2 DM-i was fully loaded.

And centre stage in the dash was a large 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system and of course, the party-trick screen that rotates at the touch of a button.

Previous BYD models have relied on the majority of functions being controlled via the central touchscreen, and that ‘s still the case.

But the Atto 2 features a control panel in front of the centre console.

And surprisingly, it has a series of actual buttons that incorporate hard keys for some important functions, like the windscreen demister, driving modes and audio volume – happy days.

The infotainment system features BYD’s latest software, complete with multi-finger gesture control for heating and ventilation.

Plus clever AI voice control, activated by saying ‘Hi BYD’, and there’s an 8.8-inch full-LCD instrument panel for the driver.

There are four USB Type-C charging ports, rear parking sensors, rear-view camera, adaptive cruise control and a smart key access all as standard.

And Boost trim adds 17-inch alloys, front parking sensors, a 360degree camera, heated front seats with electrical adjustment, a heated steering wheel, rear privacy glass and a panoramic roof with electrically adjustable sunshade.

The boot is a healthy 425 litres and that rises to 1,335 litres when the rear seats are folded down.

No word on price but the Atto 2 DM-i goes on sale early 2026 and comes with BYD’s six-year manufacturer’s warranty and eight-year drive train and battery cover.

BYD in Beautiful Barcelona

BYD chose Barcelona to launch its new Atto 2 DM-i.

But as well as the PHEV version that I’m reviewing here, pictured above with the 32-story Torre Glories skyscraper in the background.

BYD also introduced the new Atto 2 Comfort, a new range-topping edition of the popular all-electric SUV.

It comes with a bigger battery, longer range and a more comprehensive list of features and technologies.

The Atto 2 Comfort is now fitted with a larger 64.8kWh battery so it has a range up to 268 miles.

It’s capable of faster 155kW DC charging so can refill from 10-80 per cent in just 25 mins and its upgraded cabin spec includes privacy glass, faster USB ports and a larger capacity boot of 450-litres.