BYD Unveils Its Second Electric Car In India

• BYD Atto 3 unveiled in India, prices to be announced in December.
• It’s offered in a single variant with a 60kWh battery pack.
• Notable features include ADAS, 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen and panoramic sunroof.
• Gets a 204PS and 310Nm electric motor, good for 0-100kmph time of 7.3 seconds.
• Has an ARAI-claimed range of 521km.'

BYD, the Chinese electric carmaker has unveiled the Atto 3, its second model for the Indian market after the E6 MPV. The electric SUV will be brought to India as a Completely Knocked Down (CKD) model and prices will be announced in December followed by deliveries in January. It’s offered in a single variant with a 60kWh battery pack. 

BYD Atto 3: What Is It?  

The BYD Atto 3 is a premium compact electric SUV. It will fight it out with the Hyundai Kona Electric and the MG ZS EV, the two closest competitors when it comes to expected pricing and features. Also, the Atto 3 is a size larger than its rivals and, at least on paper, that should mean more space on the inside. But we will reserve our judgment until we spend time with the car. 

BYD Atto 3: Design And Features 

In terms of design, the Atto 3 is based on what BYD likes to call Dragon Face 3.0 design theme. You get the typical EV-specific elements like a closed-off front grille that flanks a pair of swept-back LED headlights. Sharp lines dominate the side profile and the large wheel wells are nicely filled by 18-inch dual-tone alloys. Connected LED tail lamps round off the overall design. 

Inside, the Atto 3 gets a layered dashboard design with a quirky theme for the air vents. It’s also a minimalistically styled dashboard as most of the features can be accessed through the large 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Speaking of which, this infotainment unit, like the E6, can be rotated either in portrait or landscape mode depending on your preference.

Also Read: India’s Most Affordable EV Detailed Through 10 Images

Other notable features on board include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control, power adjustable front seats, a wireless phone charger, and a powered tailgate. Safety is taken care of by seven airbags, electronic stability control, and a suite of ADAS features like forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. 

BYD Atto 3: Powertrain Option  

The Atto 3 gets a 60kWh battery pack powering a 204PS and 310Nm electric motor. Spinning the front wheels, it takes the Atto 3 from nought to 100kmph in a rather quick 7.3 seconds. And when it comes to range, the electric SUV offers an ARAI claimed range of 521km. Internationally, there is an option of a smaller 50kWh battery pack that powers the same electric motor. 

Naturally, the electric SUV offers fast charging options with a 0-80 per cent top up time of 50 minutes. It also gets vehicle-to-load functionality, meaning it can power certain appliances in your home in case of a power outage, like the Kia EV6. 

BYD Atto 3: Expected Price And Launch

Prices of the Atto 3 will be announced in December 2022 followed by deliveries in January 2023. It is expected to start around Rs 30 lakh (ex-showroom) and will be a premium alternative to the Hyundai Kona Electric and MG ZS EV.