One of the standout reveals at this year's Paris Motor Show came from BYD, which opened a new chapter in its history with the Atto 8 — the Chinese manufacturer's largest electric SUV to date. The new model will sit above the Atto 2, Atto 3, Sealion 5 and Seal U in the brand's line-up.
The Atto 8 enters a fiercely contested segment that includes the Kia EV9 and the Skoda Peaq. Here's a full rundown of the technical details.
A Physical Giant
With its body dimensions, the Atto 8 effectively crosses into full-size territory: 5040 mm long, 1996 mm wide and 1760 mm tall. That puts it essentially level with the Kia EV9 — by a whisker — while making it bulkier than the Skoda Peaq.
A Battery That Doesn't Know Limits When Charging
What really sets the Atto 8 apart is on the energy side. It is the first car in BYD's European portfolio to be fitted with the second-generation 115 kWh Blade battery, and it supports the brand's "Flash charging" ultra-fast charging system.
At dedicated stations, charging proceeds at a dazzling pace: the battery goes from 10% to 70% in 5 minutes. From there, reaching 97% requires only another 4 minutes of waiting.
Two Choices Between 455 and 764 Horsepower
On the powertrain side, buyers are offered two paths. The rear-wheel-drive, single-motor "Design RWD" version delivers 455 hp and 366 Nm of torque — plenty for most needs. It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 8 seconds and promises a WLTP range of approximately 651 km.
For drivers after more excitement, there's the "Excellence AWD" version, which carries a motor on each axle. The all-wheel-drive configuration produces a combined 764 hp and 774 Nm of torque, cutting the 0-100 km/h time to 4.6 seconds. The trade-off is range, which drops to 601 km.
A Cabin Full of Screens and a 2027 Target
Inside, the Atto 8 largely follows contemporary digital trends. Beneath the panoramic glass roof, the driver is accompanied by a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 26-inch windscreen head-up display and a 15.6-inch central screen integrated with Google services.
European sales are targeted to begin in the first quarter of 2027. The price list, for now, is being kept under wraps.
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