BYD unveils the new ATTO 3 EVO - a smarter and much faster family SUV

BYD just pulled the curtain back on the ATTO 3 EVO, and it is not a tiny, cosmetic update. This new version of the popular electric family SUV brings more power and a much bigger battery to the table. If you thought the first version was good, this one tries to beat it in every way. It sits on a new base called the e-Platform 3.0, which helps the car perform better and charge much faster than before.

One of the biggest changes is the new powertrain. The old model only had one electric motor powering the front wheels. Now, buyers can choose between a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) version called Design or an all-wheel-drive (AWD) model called Excellence. BYD also upgraded the back suspension to a five-link system, making the ride smoother and helping the car handle corners with more ease.

The Design trim comes with a single motor that makes 230kW (313PS). It can go from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.5 seconds. If, for whatever reason, you thought that was inadequate, and you wanted even more speed, the Excellence trim adds a second motor in the front. Together, they produce 330kW (449PS). This version accelerates to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds - this kind of speed is usually found in sports cars, not family SUVs.

Both versions use a 74.8kWh battery. Because the car has an 800V system, it can charge at a rate of up to 220kW. If you stop at a compatible charger, you can fill the battery from 10% to 80% in only 25 minutes. The RWD model can travel up to 317 miles on a full charge, while the more powerful AWD version has a range of about 292 miles.

The new EVO version is still the same size on the outside, measuring 175.4 inches long, 73.8 inches wide, and 63.6 inches tall. Despite keeping the same dimensions, the engineers found a way to create more room inside. The trunk is now 1.77 ft³ larger, giving you 17.3 ft³ of space. If you fold the back seats down, that grows to 48 ft³. There is also a new "frunk" under the hood that adds another 3.57 ft³ for your charging cables or groceries.

Inside the cabin, the most eye-catching feature is the 15.6-inch touchscreen. It is the biggest screen in its class and runs on a system that includes Google Maps and a voice assistant. You can talk to the car to change settings or find a route. BYD even moved the gear shifter to the steering wheel area to make the front seats feel more open and less crowded.

The ATTO 3 EVO comes with seven airbags and many smart safety tools. These include sensors that warn you about cars in your blind spot and a system that helps keep the car in its lane. It also has a 3,307 lb towing capacity, which is great if you need to pull a small trailer.

In Europe, the starting price for the current ATTO 3 is around $45,680, depending on the actual market. The final local prices for the EVO will be higher, but BYD promises the value stays high because so many features come as standard. The car even has a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), letting you plug in things like a coffee machine or a laptop directly into the car to use its power.

ATTO 3 EVO - source: BYD

The first batch of the new EVO models will start reaching owners this spring. BYD is also including a long warranty to give buyers peace of mind. The car itself is covered for six years, and the battery is protected for eight years or 155,300 miles.

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