Fast-growing Chinese car brand BYD has announced a comprehensive overhaul of its Atto 3 electric family SUV.
First launched in the UK three years ago, BYD has thoroughly reworked the Atto 3 to boost performance, battery range and even luggage space.Â
Named the Atto 3 Evo, the revised SUV can potentially offer acceleration that matches its namesake of sorts: the classic Mitsubishi Lancer Evo saloon.
Executive vice president of BYD, Stella Li, said: “The Atto 3 Evo proves how big a step we can make as a brand in less than three years.Â
“We’ve distilled our EV innovations and our latest technologies into a package that has already proven popular with buyers across Europe. And the result is another standout offering in the class: powerful, efficient and packed with useful features. It’s not a car, it’s a BYD.”
Quicker than many hot hatchbacks
The most dramatic change for the Atto 3 is abandoning the current model’s front-wheel-drive layout. The new Evo is available with rear- or all-wheel drive only.
All versions of the Atto 3 Evo come with a 78.4kWh battery and 800-volt electrical architecture, offering DC charging speeds of up to 200kW.
The rear-driven Design model has a single electric motor, generating 313hp and 280lb ft of torque. It can reach 62mph in 5.5 seconds and, when fully charged, can cover an official, WLTP-tested range of up to 317 miles.
The all-wheel-drive Excellence version of the Atto 3 Evo offers more performance. With 449hp and 413lb ft of torque, it has a hot hatch-rivalling 0-62mph time of 3.9 seconds, plus a top speed of 124mph. A WLTP driving range of up to 292 miles is possible.
Lots of equipment and luggage space
A switch to BYD’s new Blade Battery has increased cabin space, despite the Atto 3 Evo having the same exterior dimensions as its predecessor. Boot capacity has also grown by 50 litres to 490 litres, with an additional 101 litres available in the new ‘frunk’.
Standard equipment for the rear-wheel-drive Design model includes a 15.6-inch central touchscreen, 8.8-inch digital instrument panel, wireless smartphone charging, 360-degree parking camera and heated front seats.Â
Opting for the all-wheel-drive Excellence adds heated rear seats, a head-up display and a panoramic sunroof with an electric sunshade.Â
UK prices have yet to be confirmed for the BYD Atto 3 Evo, but all cars will come with a six-year/93,000-mile warranty, plus separate eight-year/155,000-mile cover for the Blade Battery.Â
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