Automotive giant Build Your Dreams or BYD seems to be the next in line to introduce an electric SUV in India. Several reports to date have hinted that the Chinese carmaker will soon be launching its Atto 3 electric SUV in the country, meant to rival the likes of the Hyundai Kona EV and the MG ZS EV upon its debut. Things are now official and we might be just a couple of weeks away from the EV’s launch in India.
Interestingly, this will not be the first time that Atto 3 gains the public eye. The battery-powered SUV currently retails in several other countries, even with the name BYD Yuan Plus, and will be coming to India only after a successful run in the international markets. As for India, this will be the second product on sale by BYD and it is easy to see that the company will leave no stone unturned to garner attention for its launch.
The recent teasers of the car are a testimony to that. BYD has posted a series of very short videos on its online channels in the build-up to its launch, providing us with a sneak peek of the all-electric SUV. So even those who are not familiar with the international presence of the Atto 3 now have an idea of what to expect in its upcoming India launch. From the teasers, we know that the SUV will have a bold and streamlined design, with LED lights adorning its width at the back.
Naturally, anticipation is high for the BYD Atto 3, as electric SUVs of its kind are more or less the highlights of the ongoing transition to EVs in India. It is expected to break cover in the second week of October, and some reports suggest the exact date to be October 11. In the buildup to its launch, we have seen a leaked brochure of the car defining its specifications and features, and have even found spy shots of it doing rounds on the internet. Here is a look at all that we know about the BYD Atto 3 so far.
BYD Atto 3 Design
While we have already had a look at the international model, the BYD Atto 3 has now also been spotted in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, ahead of its India launch. The electric SUV has a dynamic presence on the road, with a design that is complemented by curves and contours throughout. The rear end of its cascades onto an LED strip that runs along the width of the car, giving it a rather appealing design. At the front, extremely sleek headlamps adorn the extreme edges, right over large air vents that thin out in the middle.
The leaked brochure suggests that the upcoming BYD Atto 3 electric SUV will measure 4,455mm in length, 1,875mm in width, and 1,615mm in height. It will have a wheelbase of 2,720mm. With these dimensions, the Atto 3 will be noticeable larger than its competitors.
BYD Atto 3 Specifications
As for the numbers that will empower the electric SUV, the BYD Atto 3 is said to come with two battery pack options – a 49.92kWh battery pack, and a larger 60.48kWh battery pack. The former claims to push the SUV for a range of about 345km (WLTP), whereas the larger 60.48kWh battery pack can boost this to 420km on a full charge.
For performance, the Atto 3 comes with an electric motor that promises 201bhp of peak power and 310Nm of peak torque. This lets the electric SUV sprint from 0kmph to 100kmph in 7.3 seconds. We may see an electronic limit on this acceleration and the top speed of the car.
BYD Atto 3 Features
One of the highlights of BYD’s upcoming electric SUV will be its Level-2 autonomous driving system, which will enable features including adaptive cruise control with stop & go function, lane-keeping assist, auto emergency braking, forward collision warning, door open warning, blind-spot monitoring system, and more.
BYD Atto 3 Expected Price
It is likely that BYD prices its Atto 3 electric SUV close to the price we see on the Hyundai Kona. This means that the Atto 3 may be launched in India soon with an ex-showroom price of Rs 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh. It will be interesting to see how the electric car manages to perform in the Indian market at its price.
