BYD Atto 3 Evo evolves with battery and motor upgrade
BYD has given its Atto 3 family SUV more power, range and charging speed as well as a new name – the Atto 3 Evo.
The Atto 3 launched in 2023 as the Chinese firm’s first UK car, and is the first BYD to get a midlife refresh.
Key changes include a boost in battery capacity from 60.5kWh to 74.8kWh and a shift from 400V to 800V architecture underpinning the powertrain.
In the most efficient version, the Atto 3 Evo will cover up to 317 miles on a charge – 57 miles more than before.
The move to 800V architecture shared with the larger Sealion 7 means faster charging, with peak DC capability of 220kW up from the previous 150kW and delivering a 10-80% top-up in 25 minutes.
BYD has also completely rethought the Atto 3’s motors. The previous front-mounted 201bhp setup has been scrapped and replaced with a choice of rear-drive or all-wheel-drive. The entry-level rear-wheel-drive Atto 3 Evo produces 309bhp and can get from 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds, putting it nearly two seconds ahead of the outgoing car and making it quicker than most mainstream rivals.
Above that, an all-wheel-drive version churns out 443bhp, enough to cut the 0-62mph time to just 3.9 seconds, while returning a claimed 292 miles of range.
While the big changes are under the skin, the Atto 3 Evo also brings subtle visual changes. There are new front and rear bumpers, slimmer side skirts, a new high-level spoiler and new 18-inch alloy wheel designs. Inspire the drive selector has been moved to steering column and there’s a new 8.8-inch digital instrument display. Less obvious but more usefully, the boot is now 490 litres – 50 litres more than before – and there’s an all-new 101-litre frunk under the bonnet.
All versions of the Atto 3 Evo get 18-inch alloys, a 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless smartphone charging, front and rear parking sensors with a 360-degree surround-view camera, Vehicle-to-Load, a heat pump and electrically adjustable heated front seats.
The AWD version adds a head-up display, heated rear seats and a panoramic roof as well as bringing the performance upgrades.
UK prices for the BYD Atto 3 Evo are still to be confirmed but we’d expect a slight increase on the current car’s £37,730 starting price when deliveries begin in the spring.
