Chinese firm BYD is expanding into Europe and intends to have its Atto 3 model ready to order before the end of 2022
- Order books open by the end of 2022
- Atto 3 will be the smallest of a future BYD lineup
- Set to rival the Volkswagen ID.3 and MG4
Chinese electric car firm BYD has stated it will bring the Atto 3 model to Europe this year with order books for UK buyers set to open before the end of 2022. The Atto 3 will be the smallest vehicle in a future lineup of cars, and the crossover’s closest rivals will be the Volkswagen ID.3 and MG4.
The Atto 3 gets the firm's new EV architecture, named e-Platform 3.0, to boost its competitiveness as other European manufacturers race ahead with plans for their own EV models of similar size. A single front-mounted motor has 201bhp for 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds.
Two battery options will be offered: 48kWh and 60kWh, with the larger battery having a claimed WLTP range of up to 261 miles. Charging time is 29 minutes from 30-80% at a maximum charging speed of 88kW.
Compared with the VW ID.3 the Atto 3 is 200mm longer but has a shorter wheelbase. Boot space is 400 litres or 1,338 litres with the rear seats folded.
Both the front and rear lighting feature a swooping design, and the conventional space for a grille is replaced by contrasting silver trim, with a small vent above it. Inside there’s a focus on technology, with a 12.8-inch screen that can swivel from portrait to landscape mode. However, unlike the ID.3, there doesn’t appear to be an over reliance on the screen, with several buttons and dials visible for controlling temperature and stereo volume.
Pricing and specification is yet to be confirmed for the UK although Brian Yang, assistant general manager for Europe, has said BYD is benchmarking itself against the Volkswagen ID range as well as Hyundai and Kia’s new EV models.
The Atto 3 will be the only vehicle from BYD for the UK market for now, although Yang added that this is not likely to last long, and the firm intends to expand the range next year. This will likely include a saloon and larger SUV that are already planned for mainland Europe, but will take slightly longer to reach UK shores.
BYD may be familiar to some people in the UK, as the firm has previously released commercial vehicles that have made it to UK roads; however the Atto 3 will be its first passenger vehicle in the UK. The firm started trading in 1995 as a battery manufacturer, and a European division was created just three years later in 1998.
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Keyword: The BYD Atto 3 is coming to the UK by the end of the year