BYD updates the EV that started it all for them in Australia – The Atto 3 evolves into the Atto 3 EVO

After bursting onto the Australian motoring scene almost 4 years ago with their first for Australia unique but quirky EV, the Atto 3, BYD has come on leaps and bounds. Now offering 12 models covering a wide range of tastes and prices, the brand has amazingly become second only to Toyota in overall car sales in recent months.

BYD has been at the forefront of the EV revolution in this country and has led the way for dozens of new brands to enter the market offering full BEV and Hybrid options. Aware that not everyone was ready to take the leap into full EV BYD themselves have also evolved to offer plug in hybrid options in the form of Sealion 6 and the popular ute The Shark. 

Now it’s time to revisit where they started with the announcement of Australian pricing for their revamped Atto 3, The Atto 3 EVO

With a foot in each camp BYD have retained much of the original features of the revolutionary vehicle that hit our streets back in 2023. 

The base model “Dynamic” resembles more closely the OG model but it is with the “Premium” model where there has been a revolution rather than evolution 

The new Premium model sees a non-insignificant shift from front wheel drive to rear wheel drive, a substantial increase in battery size, faster charging rates, increased horsepower and range. With that shift in drivetrain the EVO Premium goes from an already quick 7.3 seconds 0-100 km to a blistering 5.5 seconds. It even gets a frunk courtesy of the space made available under the “hood” by the shift in motor position

On the inside we also see a larger dashboard screen and a toning down of some of the more polarising interior quirks, but don’t panic, the guitar strings are still there. The colour palette is less jarring and the gear shift moves to the steering column freeing up even more space in the cabin.

As an original owner (I have had two Atto 3’s) it is nice to see some of the features considered lacking in the original models being incorporated into the EVO. Rain-sensing wipers and a sunglasses holder is now standard.

Wireless charging of your mobile phone gets a bump from 15W to 50W and the Dynamic model gets a six-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats and eight stereo speakers. The Premium model possesses dual-zone climate control and driver’s seat with four-way power lumbar support.

The Premium interior space inside the cabin also benefits from the enhanced styling, going from 434 litres to 490 litres and from 1,340 litres to 1,360 litres with the rear seats down

Outside, the Atto 3 EVO external dimensions are identical and it retains much of the style of the original but with small enhancements designed to be more contemporary. BYD state that they have enhanced the Atto 3 with “Stronger lines and angles (that) dominate the front bumper and create greater depth, with the outer sides of the air intake dominated by a pronounced crease”

 The daytime running lights now extend fully across the fascia and the side skirts are slimmer.

BYD state that “the trademark Chinese-knot LED tail lights now stretch across the full width of the vehicle, producing a more distinctive presence at night. The rooftop spoiler also receives a new flared design at each end, with the integrated centre stop light transitioning from a single horizontal bar into more sporting vertical twin stripes”

All this comes at a cost increase of around $2,000 over the previous model (now dubbed the BYD Atto 3 MY25)

Key changes

Feature	Essential MY25	Premium MY25	EVO Dynamic	EVO Premium
Battery	49.92 kWh	60.48 kWh	60.48 kWh	74.88 kWh
Power	150kW	150kW	150kW	220 kW
WLTP Range	345 km	420 km	420 km	510 km
0-100	7.9s	7.3s	7.3s	5.5s
Maximum Torque	310 Nm	310 Nm	310 Nm	380Nm
Charging rate	70 kW DC / 7 kW AC	88 kW DC / 7 kW AC	110 kW DC / 7 kW AC	220 kW DC  / 11 kW AC
Drive motor position	FWD	FWD	FWD	RWD
Frunk	No	No	No	101 litres
Price: Excl on-road costs	$39,990	$44,990	$41,990	$46,990

Colours

The Atto 3 EVO will be available in Ski White, Harbour Grey, Cosmos Black and for the Premium model only an Atlantis Grey

All the details of the Atto 3 EVO can be found at the BYD Website