Say the word “Evo” and car enthusiasts will immediately think of Mitsubishi’s iconic Lancer Evolution models. BYD, however, is now putting its own spin on the name with the new BYD Atto 3 Evo in Europe.
Building upon the model’s recent update in China, the new BYD Atto 3 Evo represents the most advanced and powerful iteration of the model to date. It brings notable improvements across the board, including a larger battery, faster DC charging, and significantly stronger performance.
The Atto 3 Evo is offered in two variants: a new rear-wheel drive (RWD) Design, and an all-wheel drive (AWD) Excellence — with the latter notably absent from China’s leaked MIIT filing. As reported in that update, however, both versions are now built on BYD’s 800V e-Platform 3.0 architecture and feature a larger 70.48 kWh battery, up from the 60.48 kWh unit used previously.
Previously only available with front-wheel drive (FWD), the entry-level Atto 3 Evo now switches to a RWD layout. In the RWD Design form, the setup is largely similar to what was revealed in China. The rear-mounted electric motor produces 313 hp and 380 Nm of torque, enabling a 0-100 km/h sprint in 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 180 km/h. Despite the performance bump, it still delivers a WLTP-rated range of 510 km.
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The range-topping AWD Excellence, however, adds a second motor at the front axle, boosting combined output to 449 hp and 560 Nm. This allows the car to complete the same century sprint in a blistering 3.9 seconds (just 0.1 second shy of the BYD Seal Performance!) and a top speed of 200 km/h, while still offering a WLTP-rated range of 470 km.
For context, these figures represent a substantial step up from the BYD Atto 3 Ultra still on sale here in Malaysia. That model is front-wheel drive only, and produces 204 hp (150 kW) and 310 Nm of torque, paired to a smaller 60.48 kWh battery. As a result, its WLTP-rated range is capped at 420 km — well short of what the new Atto 3 Evo now offers.
In terms of charging, the BYD Atto 3 Evo ups the ante with support for DC fast charging of up to 220 kW, allowing the battery to go from 10–80% in just 25 minutes. AC charging is rated at 11 kW, enabling a full charge in around eight hours. The Atto 3 Evo further supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) at up to 3.3 kW, allowing occupants to power or charge household appliances while on the go.
Along with the updates under the skin, the new Atto 3 Evo also sees several redesigned touches mirroring that of the earlier leaks from from China. It now sports revised bumpers, a new rear spoiler with two vertically mounted brake lights, and sits on new 18-inch alloy wheels.
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Inside, the BYD Atto 3 Evo carries over much of the same styling quirks as the outgoing model, albeit with a few modern touches. Most notably, the gear selector has been relocated to the steering wheel column, freeing up space for a cleaner, more minimalist centre console. Boot capacity has also been increased from 440 litres to 490 litres, and can be expanded to 1,360 litres with the rear seats folded.
The cabin continues to feature an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster paired with a 15.6-inch rotating central infotainment display, with support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
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