Both the Tesla Model Y and the BYD Atto 3 are contenders to rank among the top three selling EVs in 2022. Which one do you prefer?
Marine creatures? Dynasties? Here is a closer look at a few of the siblings of BYD's revolutionary, fantasy all-electric SUV as interest in it continues to grow.
The BYD Atto 3 hasn't been thoroughly tested yet (keep tuned for that), but it's indisputable that our initial impressions of the all-electric SUV have been favorable.
The Atto 3 appears to have extremely competitive performance numbers and a stated range for a mid-level EV. Whether it matches your Pinterest mood board, the interior's physically athletic design is a worthy attempt at innovation.
However, Singapore's apparent awe and astonishment at the Atto 3 is proof of how shielded our market has been from BYD's constantly increasing portfolio of EVs.
Here is a brief round-up of a few prominent Atto 3 siblings that are worth our attention, presented from two distinct angles, ranging from nameplates inspired by marine animals to those inspired by Chinese dynasties.
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| The BYD Atto 3's siblings are as stunning, as it turns out |
Possibly related: Atto 2 and Atto 4
The saying goes that good things come in threes, and it appears that BYD isn't content with adding the Atto prefix to just one SUV.
Moving down a size, the Atto 2, also known as the Atto 2 in Australia, is a cutesy supermini that is evocative of hatchbacks like the Renault Zoe and BMW i3. Australia is a nearby right-hand drive market where the Atto 3 has been promoted as just that—the Atto 3—instead of the Yuan Plus as it was first revealed. (Confusing, but we'll get back to this. You'll notice.)
The car, which has a roomy 2,700 mm wheelbase, will be positioned size-wise with other city runabouts like the Honda Jazz at a little over four meters long and over 1.8 meters wide.
The Atto 2's entry-level model in China comes with a 30.7 kWh battery with a 301 km NEDC-rated range.
A 44.9 kWh battery pack is added to higher-spec models, increasing the range to between 401 km and 405 km, according to claims.
Although a Category A friendly motor with 94bhp (70kW) and 180Nm of torque would be more practical in Singapore, the most potent motor can produce 174bhp (130kW) and 290Nm of torque.
On the other hand, what is anticipated to be the Atto 4 improves upon things both mathematically and aesthetically.
As automakers scramble to introduce their EVs, the slick fastback sedan form is growing in popularity, and BYD's rendition with the Atto 4 is sufficiently contemporary: complete with headlights that resemble brackets and flush-mounted door handles.
Australian media agencies have said that this vehicle, which is 4.8 meters long and over 1.9 meters wide, would compete against the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2, and a glance at the vehicle's characteristics will explain why.
The base, single-motor RWD model, which is offered with both rear-wheel (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), claims to go 550 km on a single charge of its 61.4 kWh battery.
According to reports, increasing it to an 82.5 kWh battery will increase this to about 700 km. The Atto 4 should thus be capable of going from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds when equipped with AWD and a dual-motor arrangement for optimum performance.
The Atto 2 and Atto 4 will both be based on BYD's most recent e-Platform 3.0, just as the Atto 3. But here's the small detour: When travel restrictions are eventually lifted, take a flight to Shanghai, and you'll see that both names (and the Atto 3 as well) don't exist. Do you still recall the Yuan Plus?
The Atto 2 and 4 are now referred to locally as the Dolphin () and Seal (), respectively, as they are a part of the new Ocean series of EVs manufactured by BYD.
Hold on. That would imply that the Atto 3 was initially intended to stand significantly apart from the Atto 2 and Atto 4.
According to the Chinese market, these are the real siblings: EV Tang and EV Han
To contextualize the names Dolphin and Seal, we now go back to the Atto 3's previous name change. Where does the SUV initially sit, as "Yuan Plus" has no obvious ties to "Dolphin" or "Seal"?
The solution is partially taken from China's past. When paired with names like "Song," "Qin," and even "Han" and "Tang," models in BYD's domestic portfolio that pay respect to China's numerous dynasties, "Yuan Plus" as a nameplate begins to make sense.
The BYD Tang is one of them and has already begun to gather momentum in Europe. Norway, which continues to be one of the top EV markets, saw BYD's mid-sized SUV surpass competitors like the Volvo C40 and even the Tesla Model Y in terms of sales for May 2022.
The approximately 4.9-meter-long Tang is powered once more by BYD's Blade Battery, this time with 86.4 kWh of capacity, and it achieves a 400 km range on the more stringent WLTP-rating (or about 500-ish km by NEDC standards).
The SUV also supports rapid charging at up to 110kW, which allows for a 30-minute charge from zero to eighty percent.
For some reason, the automobile in Norway, which has a wheelbase of 2,820 mm and can also seat seven passengers, is even specified with Brembo front brakes.
But the BYD Han EV, which is undoubtedly the company's most recognizable design and name globally, is the vehicle that will probably raise the most eyebrows.
The Han is the Chinese manufacturer's flagship, emulating a luxury sedan in terms of amenities (reclining seats and a fold-down, central touchpad in the rear?) and performance numbers. The Han's length is comparable to that of the 5 Series and the E-Class.
Similar to the Atto 4/Seal, the most potent version of the sedan has dual motors that deliver 485bhp (363kW) to all four wheels and accelerate its two-tonne vehicle body from zero to 100 km/h in only 3.9 seconds. While doing so, the 77 kWh battery will continue to produce a 550 km NEDC-rated range.
Fun fact: The external design language shared by the Han, Tang, and Atto 3/Yuan Plus supports the claim that the vehicles belong to the same family.
The Han and Tang, which were first offered as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) without grilles, now have the same "Dragon Face 3.0," which has the same DRL-strip tracing the chrome piece on the bonnet from headlamp to headlight.
What might arrive in Singapore next?
If it isn't yet evident, comparing the Atto 3 to its brothers helps put the advancements BYD has achieved in the design and quality of its cars over the years into perspective.
Again, we won't completely rule out the chance that after using the Atto 3 for a few days, our opinions may change a little.
However, the Chinese manufacturer has long since moved past the days of the boring and boxy first-gen e6.
The Atto 3 and Vantage Automotive haven't received any official word on what could happen next, so let's give them some breathing room instead. , but our best chances would be on a lineup in Singapore that closely resembles what has been gradually making its way into Australia.
Nevertheless, here's a fascinating finding we found during the Atto 3's launch: Two BYD Atto 2s/Dolphins, a BYD Han EV, and four white vertical blocks served as the platform for the four diecast models that were on show (as well as what looked like the E-SEED GT coupe-concept car that preceded it.)
Will the Chinese luxury flagship ever make it to our shores?
We'll start feeling optimistic if and when BYD chooses (and announces intentions) to manufacture the Han EV in the right-hand drive.