BYD expands Irish range with new Atto 2 Super Hybrid and Atto 3 EVO

What are these new models?

The first up is the Atto 3 Evo, which was actually the first BYD car to go on sale here, but we’ll forgive you if you don’t notice any differences from the outside — it’s barely changed in that respect. The Atto 3 now gets a new 74.8kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery, one of BYD’s own in-house ‘Blade’ battery designs, which gives it a maximum official range of 510km, an increase of 90km on the original Atto 3. The battery is faster charging than before too, at up to 220kW on DC, allowing a 10-80 per cent charge in 25 minutes. Inside, there’s improved material quality and a new touchscreen which no longer (pointlessly) rotates, but which does have Google-based software, so it’s much better to use.

Any other Atto 3 Evo changes?

Practicality is also improved, as the boot has been expanded to 490 litres while there’s a new 101-litre ‘frunk’ in the nose. Towing capacity has increased to 1,500kg, there’s Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) charging so you can use the Atto 3 as a mobile power bank and the battery warranty — as with all BYD products now — has stretched to eight years and 250,000km, alongside the standard six-year warranty for the rest of the car.

BYD National Sales Manager Vicky Reilly welcomed the new model introductions: “Since its arrival in 2023, the ATTO 3 has been a popular choice with customers seeking a comfortable, high-quality family SUV with the practicality to cope with everyday life. The new Atto 3 Evo builds on that foundation adding additional features, more power, a bigger battery, longer range, faster charging and best-in-class performance.”

“Bringing BYD’s Super DM (Dual Mode) hybrid technology to the compact-SUV segment, the BYD Atto 2 Super Hybrid gives motorists the freedom to make a confident step towards pure-electric motoring while enjoying the reassurance of hybrid backup – mixing the electric driving experience, response and refinement with huge real-world combined range.”

Oh yes, tell us more about the Atto 2 hybrid.

The compact Atto 2 ‘Super Hybrid’ comes with an 18kWh battery pack, which gives it a potential range of up to 90km on one charge, while the combined 212hp power output gives it a brisk 0-100 km/h time of 7.5 seconds. BYD quotes a total combined range for the Atto 2 Super Hybrid — on a full tank and a full battery — of more than 1,000km.

How much are these new BYD models?

If we’re talking about the Atto 2 Super Hybrid, then there will be two versions, ‘Active’ and ‘Boost’, which are priced at €32,990 and €35,990 respectively. The Atto 3 Evo will come in a Design version, with rear-wheel drive and 312hp for €40,530 or a four-wheel-drive Excellence version with two motors, 448hp(!), 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds (!!!!) and a price tag of €43,985. If you want to know more about both cars, we have a review of the BYD Atto 2 Super Hybrid and we have a review of the Atto 3 Evo. Go check them out.