We had the opportunity to test-drive the new versions of the Atto2 compact suv around Barcelona: the Confort, which represents the top of the range among the 100% electric versions, and the DM-i, which uses Super Hybrid technology with Dual Mode that gives it an autonomy of no less than 1,000 kilometres on a full tank.
Atto2 DM-i, the plug-in hybrid with a range of 1,000 km
As with the 100 per cent electric version, the Atto2 DM-i plug-in hybrid is available in two versions, Active and Boost, which differ mainly in terms of power output (166 hp the former and 212 hp the latter), battery capacity (7.8 kWh the Active and 18 kWh the Boost), maximum charging power and certain standard features such as wireless charging and heated seats and steering wheel, which are only available on the Boost version.
The highlight of the solution proposed by Byd with the new Atto2 DM-i is the Super Hybrid system with Dual Mode, already adopted on the Chinese manufacturer’s Seal U DM-i and Seal 6. This technology makes the electric motor work together with a particularly slim battery integrated in the floorpan (Battery Blade) and a 1.5-litre Xiaoyun petrol engine. In addition to the Ev mode, two different hybrid modes (Hev) are available: in the first, the combustion engine only acts to recharge the battery, while in the second, it acts directly on the traction drive to provide additional boost in case of need. The result is a system that functions most of the time as an electric car, allowing up to 90 km of zero-emission range (40 km for the Active version), a combined weighted average consumption of 1.8 L/100 km, and 1,000 km of combined range with a 45-litre fuel tank. In terms of performance, 100 km/h is reached in 7.5 seconds (9.1 sec. for the Active version) and the top speed is 180 km/h.
The sore point is the maximum AC recharging power: 6.6 kW for the Boost version and just 3.3 kW for the Active version, resulting in recharging times close to 3 hours (from 15 to 100 per cent): a bit too much for a latest generation car. Direct current charging is not supported.
This compact suv is 4.3 metres long (20 centimetres longer than the electric version), 1.8 metres wide, 1.7 metres high and has a wheelbase of 2.6 metres, which allows for a fair amount of space inside, both at the front and at the rear, also thanks to the absence of a central tunnel: in fact, traction is entirely front wheel drive.
