BYD Atto 3: Chinese electric SUV gets new name for Australia

The Chinese-built BYD Yuan Plus electric SUV is due to go on sale in Australia later this month badged as the 2022 BYD Atto 3, according to local distributor Nexport.

Published on Nexport's EVDirect website, the new nameplate is said to be derived from science and mathematics – and, according to the brand, represents "the impossible precision that we're striving towards."

Order books are due to open at 7:00 pm AEDT on 19 February 2022 – when the vehicle is due to be revealed in Australian-market form. Pricing is yet to to be announced.

The BYD SUV will likely be pitched as a direct competitor to the MG ZS EV – which was Australia's second-best selling electric vehicle in 2021, and one of the country's most affordable electric cars, at $44,990 drive-away.

Local specifications for the BYD SUV are also yet to be locked in for the Atto 3, however in China – where it is sold as the Yuan Plus – a single motor sends 150kW/310Nm to the front wheels.

This allows the 0-100km/h sprint to be completed in a claimed 7.2 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 160km/h.

Two 'Blade' battery packs – 50.1kWh and 60.5kWh – are on offer overseas, permitting ranges of 430km and 510km respectively on the lenient CLTC testing cycle.

Drive has contacted local distributor Nexport for further details on the upcoming model, and this story will be updated when more information becomes available.

Since announcing ambitious plans to introduce a fleet of new electric cars in Australia in April last year, Nexport has faced several hurdles and delays bringing BYD cars to market.

The originally-promised "sub-$35,000" EA1 hatchback appears to have been placed on hold for now, and will be replaced by the Atto 3 as the brand's debut vehicle locally.