- The BYD Atto 3 Evo is a significant upgrade of the company's first EV to go on sale in New Zealand.
- A new 800-volt architecture sees boosts to power and range, with the choice of FWD, RWD and AWD.
- Top-spec Performance model is AWD and will belt to 100km/h from a standing start in just 3.9 seconds.
BYD New Zealand has announced the upcoming release of the Atto 3 Evo, a revised version of the brand's first vehicle to go on sale here back in 2022. Rather than an all-new vehicle, the Atto 3 Evo is a significant upgrade of the current car, but is built on BYD's new 800-volt e-Platform 3.0 and introduces updates to performance, charging capabilities, and design.
The Atto 3 Evo will be offered in three distinct variants: Dynamic, Premium, and Performance, with the entry-level Dynamic model featuring a front-wheel-drive configuration with a 150kW motor and a 60.48kWh Blade Battery, providing an estimated WLTP range of 420km.
The mid-range Premium variant moves to a rear-wheel-drive setup with a 230kW motor and a larger 74.88kWh battery, increasing the WLTP range to approximately 510km, while the top-tier Performance model uses an all-wheel-drive dual-motor system producing 330kW, and is capable of hitting 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds while maintaining a 470km WLTP range.
Other technical changes to the popular electric SUV include a move from a four-link to a five-link rear suspension system intended to modify driving dynamics, while charging performance has also seen adjustments, specifically for the Premium and Performance models, which now support DC fast charging up to 220kW.
This upgrade allows the two top models to charge from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 25 minutes, while the Dynamic variant maintains a DC charging limit of 110kW.
The exterior of the Atto 3 Evo has also been tweaked, with the latest iteration of the brand's design language being used, as well as full-width daytime running lights at the front and a "Chinese-knot" taillight design at the rear.
Inside the cabin the Atto 3 Evo gets an 8.8-inch LCD instrument cluster, a new column-mounted gear selector, and an updated steering wheel, while the Di-Link infotainment system has been revised for faster interface responses and includes both wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. New interior features also include a driver monitoring system, child presence detection, and an upgraded air conditioning system.
Safety specifications vary by trim level, with the Premium and Performance models receiving additional front cross-traffic alert and braking functions.
The Atto 3 Evo starts at $59,990 for the Dynamic variant, with the Premium priced at $65,990 and the Performance at $75,990, with all models available in one standard colour, Ski White, with five optional metallic colours carrying an additional $990 charge.