BYD has unveiled the new Atto 8 at the Paris Motor Show. The large electric SUV offers seating for seven, a 115 kWh battery and a range of up to 652 kilometres. But the biggest headline is the brand’s new Flash Charging technology, which BYD says can charge the battery from 10 to 97 per cent in just nine minutes.
Up to 775 hp and 652 kilometres on a single charge
BYD is expanding its model range with a new electric flagship. And let’s be honest: this model is intended to take over from the BYD Tang.
The BYD Atto 8 will be available in two electric versions, with buyers able to choose between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The entry-level Design RWD has a rear-mounted electric motor producing 462 hp and 365 Nm of torque. That is enough to accelerate the large SUV from 0 to 100 km/h in eight seconds. The battery has a capacity of 115 kWh, and the official WLTP range is up to 652 kilometres.
For more power, the Excellence AWD adds a motor on the front axle to the rear motor, bringing total system output to 775 hp and 775 Nm of torque.
This cuts the 0–100 km/h time to just 4.6 seconds. Despite the extra power, the claimed WLTP range remains up to 602 kilometres. Both versions use BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery, with a capacity of 115 kWh.
However, it is not just the size and performance that make the Atto 8 interesting. The model will be the first BYD in Europe to feature the brand’s new Flash Charging technology. According to BYD, the battery can be charged from 10 to 70 per cent in five minutes. A charge from 10 to 97 per cent is said to take just nine minutes.
The manufacturer also promises fast charging at temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius. Under those conditions, charging from 20 to 97 per cent is claimed to take 12 minutes. The technology will be supported by new infrastructure, with BYD planning to establish 3,000 Flash Charging stations in Europe by the end of 2027.
Massage seats and a fridge in the cabin
At 5.04 metres long, almost two metres wide and 1.76 metres tall, the Atto 8 sits in the large SUV class alongside models such as the Volvo EX90.
The cabin has three rows of seats and room for seven occupants. According to BYD, there is 270 litres of luggage space even with all seats in use. Folding down the two rear rows increases capacity to as much as 1,960 litres. There is also a 136-litre front boot, which can be used for smaller suitcases or charging cables.
The cabin features a large 2.39-square-metre panoramic glass roof, while materials include soft-touch surfaces and suede-like upholstery.
The driver’s area consists of a 10.25-inch digital instrument display, a 26-inch head-up display and a 15.6-inch central infotainment screen. The system has Google built in, including access to Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Google Play Store.
BYD has also focused on comfort. The front seats feature heating, ventilation and massage functions, and the outer seats in the second row offer the same features.
Even passengers in the third row get adjustable head restraints, while the three-zone climate control system has a separate control panel for rear passengers.
Equipment varies by version. The Design RWD comes with a ten-speaker sound system, while the Excellence AWD gets a 21-speaker DiSound system.
The car can also be equipped with a front-mounted refrigerator that can cool to minus six degrees Celsius or heat up to 50 degrees. Wireless phone charging at up to 50 watts and USB-C ports for electronic devices are also included.
The BYD Atto 8 arrives in 2027
The new Atto 8 will be an important model for BYD in Europe. With seven seats, a large battery pack, up to 775 hp and a claimed charging time of just nine minutes, the manufacturer aims to combine the practicality of a large family car with some of the latest advances in battery technology.
The first European markets are expected to receive the car in the first quarter of 2027. Danish prices, equipment levels and a specific launch date have not yet been announced.
