BYD has announced new, more budget-friendly variants for the Dolphin and Atto 3 in Australia, dubbed the “Essential”. The two new variants will be replacing the Dolphin Dynamic and Atto 3 Standard on sale in the Land Down Under.
These cheaper, more cut-down “Essential” versions of the BYD Dolphin and Atto 3 are priced at AUD29,990 (approx. RM84k) and AUD39,990 (approx. RM112k) respectively, representing a price drop of AUD6,900 (approx RM19k) for the Dolphin and AUD4,509 (approx. RM13k) for the Atto 3. For the former, it’s also earned itself the title of the first sub-AUD30k EV on sale in the country.
To keep the prices of the new Essential models low, BYD has to cut down on various features that previously came as standard.
Starting with the Dolphin Essential, it will lose the outgoing Dynamic variant’s panoramic glass roof, power-folding mirrors, wireless phone charging, heated front seats, privacy glass, and phone key function.
Meanwhile, the Atto 3 Essential is downsizing its Standard model’s features – replacing 18-inch wheels for 17-inch ones; 15.6-inch touchscreen for a 12.8-inch display; a six-speaker system in place of the previous eight, and now being a single-tone black cabin rather than a dual blue/black interior.
Like the Dolphin, the Atto 3 Essential will also delete the panoramic sunroof, power tailgate, roof rails, heated front seats, LED rear-side reading lights, and ‘music rhythm’ function for ambient interior lighting system.
The powertrain on both of these new Essential variants have however remained completely untouched. That means both models will retain the same driving range as before.
The Dolphin Essential boasts a driving range of 340 km (WLTP) from its 44.9 kWh battery pack, and a rated output of 93 hp (70kW) and 180 Nm of torque. The Atto 3 Essential meanwhile is still rated for 345 km from its 49.9 kWh battery, powering a single motor with 201 hp (150 kW) and 310 Nm of torque.
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