- The second-gen Seagull follows the Chinese version of today's Atto 1, adding rear drive and a front boot.
- Its body measures 4205 mm long, with a 2650 mm wheelbase and seating for five.
- A Chinese filing lists a 95 kW rear motor; charging details and New Zealand plans remain undisclosed.
The car New Zealanders know as the BYD Atto 1 is getting a substantial rethink in China.
Revealed there as the second-generation Seagull, the new five-seat hatchback is larger than its predecessor and changes from front-wheel to rear-wheel drive. It also gains a front boot, giving the small electric car a new place to stow luggage.
The Chinese reveal shows a car measuring 4205 mm long, with a 2650 mm wheelbase. That puts an extra 150 mm between the axles compared with the outgoing Chinese model.
The larger footprint and five-seat cabin suggest BYD has put more emphasis on passenger space, although no cabin measurements have been disclosed.
A new drive layout
The move to rear-wheel drive brings a rear-mounted motor. A Chinese regulatory filing lists its output at 95 kW and identifies a lithium iron phosphate battery, but BYD has yet to disclose the battery's capacity, driving range or charging figures for this version. The front boot's capacity has not been published either.
The redesign also introduces independent rear suspension, another substantial change beneath the bodywork.
Exterior and cabin images published with the Chinese report show a new shape rather than a light facelift of the Atto 1 currently sold in New Zealand.
The key mechanical changes make this a more extensive update than the new styling alone might suggest.
NZ plans remain open
Seagull is the car's name in China; Atto 1 is the name BYD uses for the current model in New Zealand. That local naming connection makes the redesign relevant here, but it does not establish a local launch. BYD has not announced whether or when this generation will reach New Zealand, or which specifications a local version would carry.
For now, the Chinese reveal offers a look at how BYD's smallest hatchback is evolving. The dimensions, rear-drive layout and front boot are concrete changes; local timing, pricing and range are still to be confirmed.
