The BYD Atto 3 electric crossover is set to receive Apple CarPlay smartphone projection capabilities in early 2023, but there’s no word yet on Android Auto.
Snapshot
- Wired Apple CarPlay coming to Atto 3s gradually from January 2023
- Fullscreen implementation, but horizontal only
- Unclear when Android Auto will land
“Apple CarPlay will be sent to customers via an over-the-air [OTA] update in batches throughout the months of January and February 2023 and will come as standard with all new BYD Atto 3s from late January 2023 onwards,” EVDirect CEO Luke Todd told EFTM.
The local distributor said it’s currently in the final stages of testing and regulatory approvals to launch CarPlay for Atto 3 owners who use an Apple iPhone, and will contact customers on when they can expect the OTA to land on their vehicles.
The system is already implemented on its press vehicle fleet, revealing that Apple CarPlay fills the full 12.8-inch horizontal infotainment screen – but does not adapt its orientation when the display is rotated to portrait mode.
Unlikely many other new models entering the market (although certainly not most), the BYD electric car still requires a cable to connect and use CarPlay.
According to a now outdated brochure currently on the company’s website, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were promised to launch in the third quarter (July to September) of 2022.
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While it’s unclear when Android smartphone users will be able to enjoy similar functionality with the Atto 3, zecar reported EVDirect previously publishing a brochure outlining that Android Auto would be wireless.
The last OTA software update was pushed in late September bringing built-in navigation powered by Nokia’s open-source Here Technologies, a Spotify music streaming app and a BYD voice assistant to its DiLink infotainment system.
How much is the BYD Atto 3?
The BYD Atto 3 was subject to a price rise of $3630 this month, which saw it surrender the title of Australia’s cheapest electric car to the MG ZS EV.
The Atto 3 starts from $48,011 before on-road costs and incentives with one fully-specified model and two battery sizes offering up to 345km and 420km of claimed WLTP range on the Standard Range and Extended Range battery respectively.
Keyword: BYD Atto 3 EV to offer wired Apple CarPlay from January