Chinese EV maker BYD has given a major update to the Atto 3 electric SUV. Called the Atto 3 Evo, the updated SUV now comes with a larger 74.8 kWh battery
pack, claimed range of up to 510 km and faster charging capability with an 800V electrical architecture. While the Atto 3 Evo addresses most of the complaints that existing owners have expressed, there is still a catch for prospective buyers who are considering the electric SUV in India. Here's what we know so far. The new Atto 3 Evo gets a bigger battery, a range of up to 510 km (WLTP) and a repositioned motor, which now makes it a rear-wheel drive instead of a front-wheel drive car. This makes it 1.8 seconds faster than before in a 0-100 kmph sprint of 5.5 seconds. That is not all, because BYD has also announced an Atto 3 Evo All-Wheel Drive (AWD) version for the SUV. This one is reported to make 449 hp and 560 Nm of torque and has a range of 470 km (WLTP). The catch in all these exciting details is that the new Atto 3 Evo has been announced for global markets and its India launch timeline is yet to be confirmed. Another major concern of BYD Atto 3 users has been its slow charging speeds. With the Evo, the platform has been upgraded from a 400V architecture to an 800V architecture, giving it improved charging capability. Peak charging capacity has been increased from 88 kW to 220kW. The new battery also supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) function and has dropped the 10-80 percent charge time to just 25 minutes at peak power input. Other important updates in the Atto 3 Evo include a 101-litre storage space under the bonnet (frunk) and an increased boot space of 490 litres (50 litres more than before). Also Read: MG Majestor SUV Unveiled In India - Here Are The Features, Variants, Pre-Booking Amount Details If the visually outdated user interface irked you before, the new Atto 3 Evo now gets an updated software that runs on the 8.8-inch driver information display and 15.6-inch rotatable infotainment touchscreen. The drive selector in the updated EV has also been removed from the centre console and now comes as a column drive shifter behind the new steering wheel unit. While BYD has not announced an official timeline, the Atto 3 Evo is expected to arrive in the domestic market in the near future. It remains to be seen if the Atto 3 Evo AWD will make it to India or not.
