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Three models from BYD

It’s common knowledge by now: BYD is coming to the Netherlands. And with three all-electric models: the BYD Han, the BYD Tang and the BYD Atto 3. The Atto 3 – a front-wheel-drive compact SUV in the C-segment – kicks off in the Netherlands, which is why we are also the first to mention the prices and private lease rates of this model.

This quarter, the first cars will be delivered and on display at Louwman BYD in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Choose from the metallic colors Surf Blue, Boulder Grey, Ski White and Parcour Red.

BYD Atto 3: two equipment levels

In the Netherlands, the BYD Atto 3 comes in two trim levels’: ‘Comfort’ and the top trim “Design. Prices for the BYD Atto 3 start at 42,998 euros for the Comfort. The private lease rate starts at 549 euros per month based on a 60-month term and 10,000 kilometers per year. The top model of the BYD Atto 3, the Design, is listed for 44,998 euros.

You may still be able to use the SEPP subsidy in 2023: Electric Passenger Car Subsidy for Individuals. You can then get a 2,950 euro “discount” on the starting price.

Competitors BYD Atto 3

BYD is taking on other all-electric cars in the C-segment with the Atto 3. Consider the Volkswagen ID.3, Cupra Born and Kia Niro EV. The prices look like this in order from low to high.

• Cupra Born 58 kWh – 204 hp – 427 km WLTP – 40,990 euros
• BYD Atto 3 Comfort 60 kWh – 204 hp – 420 km WLTP – 42,998 euros
• Kia Niro EV 64.8kWh – 204 hp – 460 km WLTP – 43,795 euros
• Volkswagen ID.3 58 kWh – 204 hp – 426 km WLTP – 43,990 euros

Equipment BYD Atto 3 Comfort

So what about basic equipment? That’s alright, because even the basic version is actually already equipped with all conveniences. Looking at safety systems, the Comfort has the following on board: Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Rear Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Brake, Lane Keep Assistance, Lane Change Assist and Emergency Lane Keep.

Further driving aids include Blind Spot Detection System, Traction Control, Hill Decent Control, Automatic Vehicle Hold, Intelligent Speed Limit Information and Intelligent Speed Limit Control. Adaptive Intelligent Cruise Control and a panoramic camera with 360-degree vision are also included.

Also standard: GPS navigation, over-the-air updates, a panoramic glass sunroof with sunshade, a 5-inch large LCD instrument panel, a 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen with voice recognition, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a Dirac Performance audio system with eight speakers, an induction charger to charge smartphones wirelessly, an integrated heat pump and more.

Extras BYD Atto 3 Design

As extras, the more expensive Design version has nano technology for purifying interior air, a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen instead of a 12.8-inch one, Vehicle to Load connection (3.3 kW) and a power tailgate.

BYD warranty in the Netherlands

Important with a new car brand – for Europe then – are the warranty conditions. BYD provides the following guarantees:

• Battery: 8 years or 200,000 km, SOH 70%.
• Motor/electric controls: 8 years or 150,000 km.
• Bodywork (anti-corrosion perforation): 12 years.
• Full vehicle warranty: 4 years or 120,000 km

BYD Atto 3: the highlights

Of course, you also want to know a bit about the specifications of this car. Therefore, a quick overview of some highlights. The car is 4,455 mm long, 2,050 mm wide and the wheelbase comes out to 2,720 mm.

According to BYD, the interior features design accents inspired by the gym, for example, the inspiration for the door handles was found in a barbell and the gear lever resembles a so-called kettlebell, a workout weight. The interior can accommodate five people. Vegan leather for the upholstery for the seats, headrests and multifunction steering wheel is standard.

The heated sports seats are six-way power-adjustable for the driver and four-way power-adjustable for the front passenger. The rear seat offers plenty of legroom for passengers, courtesy of the e-Platform 3.0, more on that later. The rear seats can be split 60:40, expanding the 440-liter luggage space to 1,138 liters when both parts are folded down.

e-Platform 3.0

The e-Platform 3.0, developed specifically for all-electric vehicles, accommodates a so-called Blade Battery. The cobalt-free Blade Battery uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) as the cathode material, which offers a much higher level of safety than conventional lithium-ion batteries. LFP has excellent thermal stability.

The BYD Atto 3 is the first SUV based on BYD’s intelligent e-Platform 3.0. BYD’s 8-in-1 electric powertrain integrates the Vehicle Control Unit; Battery Management System; Power Distribution Unit; Drive Motor; Motor Controller; Transmission; DC-DC and On-Board Charger. BYD talks about a system efficiency of 89 percent.

The battery has a capacity of 60.48 kWh. The electric motor produces 310 Nm of torque and 150 kW/204 hp, good for a 0-100 time of 7.3 seconds. The BYD Atto 3’s top speed is 160 mph. There are four driving modes: Economy Mode, Normal Mode, Sport Mode and Snow Mode.

Range Atto 3

The Atto 3 has an electric driving range of 420 kilometers (WLTP) and 565 kilometers city range with an energy consumption of only 15.6 kW/100 km (WLTP). Load capacity is 11 kW AC 3-phase. With an 88 kW DC charger, the battery can be recharged from 30% to 80% in about 29 minutes. The Design version has Vehicle to Load (VtL), so external devices can be charged by the car battery. A heat pump is standard. This system uses residual heat from the environment, powertrain, passenger compartment and even batteries, and operates over a wide temperature range.