Leading electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has refreshed its popular Atto 3 electric SUV. Now called the Atto 3 Evo, it has a bigger battery pack, promises better driving range, along with a set of technology and feature enhancements. The new e-SUV has been revealed for the global markets and the India launch is expected sometime this year. When launched, it continues to compete with the likes of Mahindra BE6, Hyundai Creta EV, Harrier EV and other similarly priced electric SUVs in the Indian market. Talking about the battery pack first, the Atto 3 EVO gets a larger 74.8kWh battery pack from 60.5kWh, which offers a WLTP-rated range of 510km, which is 92km more than the earlier figure of 418km. The updated model also gets a repositioned motor producing 313hp and 380Nm, a gain of 109hp and 70Nm compared to the previous front-wheel-drive setup. BYD claims 0-100 kmph acceleration in 5.5 seconds, which is 1.8 seconds quicker than before, while top speed is pegged at 180 kmph.
The Atto 3 Evo AWD uses the same battery pack but delivers higher outputs of 449hp and 560Nm. It accelerates from 0-100 kmph in a claimed 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 200 kmph, although the WLTP range drops to 470 km. The Atto 3 evo also features an 800V electrical architecture, which increases peak charging capacity from 88kW to 220kW. The battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 25 minutes. The new battery also adds vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, enabling it to power up to 3kW of external devices.
There has been no change in the exterior design of the car, which remains similar to the old model. The only visible update comes in the form of newly designed multi-spoke alloy wheels. The Atto 3 Evo also gets a five-link rear suspension instead of the earlier four-link arrangement. The changes are complemented by an increase in boot capacity to 490 litres. Additionally, the Atto 3 Evo now offers a 101-litre frunk under the bonnet.
Moving inside, the Atto 3 Evo gets the same interior layout but offers updated technology. It comes with an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen with integrated Google services. The gear selector has been moved to the steering column, creating additional space in the center console. Higher variants add features such as a head-up display and heated rear seats, while a comprehensive set of driver assistance and safety systems are offered as standard.
