If you’re in the market for an affordable electric vehicle, your list of options just got a little longer - because the BYD Atto 3 is heading to the UK.
Chances are you might not be familiar with the manufacturer BYD - aka ‘Build Your Dreams’.
It’s a firm we profiled recently in an article looking at the major Chinese brands making plans to conquer Europe. And on a global scale, BYD means business.
In the first half of 2022, BYD actually sold more EVs than Tesla, distributing 641,000 vehicles across the world. BYD is also backed by American business magnate and philanthropist Warren Buffett, the world's seventh-wealthiest person.
Now BYD has announced that its Atto 3 - an SUV crossover to rival the likes of the Volkswagen ID.4, Kia Niro EV and the MG ZS EV - will arrive in the UK later this year.
For now, precise details are still to be confirmed. But here’s everything we know about the Atto 3 right now.
The Atto 3 is already on sale in Australia, so we can make a good guess at what customers here in Blighty can expect. That includes a price tag starting at around £26,500.
And you can watch an Aussie video review of the Atto 3 here.
There are two battery sizes to choose from - a 50.1 kWh unit and a larger 60.4 kWh pack. Both have power of 204 PS and 310 Nm of torque.
The difference is that the smaller battery gives you a range of up to 214 miles, while the larger version means you can travel up to 261 miles between charges.
The battery itself is something of a game-changer. It’s what BYD calls a ‘Blade’, and it’s thinner and longer than the packs used in other EVs.
It also uses lithium iron-phosphate (LFP) tech, as opposed to conventional lithium-ion chemistry, and that, says BYD, makes the batteries more ‘thermal stable’ while ensuring they have an ‘ultra-long range and ultra-long lifespan’.
Both battery incarnations of the Atto 3 power the front wheels and can accelerate the car from 0-62mph in a very decent 7.3 seconds, which is pretty much on a par with the VW ID.3.
In terms of driver assistance and safety systems, you can expect intelligent cruise control, automatic emergency braking, front and rear collision warning, and lane keep assist, all as standard.
The Atto 3 is also generously specced when it comes to creature comforts, too.
The interior is clean and uncluttered and gets a panoramic glass roof, a sophisticated sound system, and a 12.8 inch intelligent rotating touch screen.
The Atto 3 should also prove practical, too, coming with a 440 litre boot that’s just slightly smaller than the luggage capacity of the Kia Niro EV.
We should have more detailed information about the Atto 3 in the coming weeks - so watch this space for further updates.
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