BYD has made its mark in Malaysia with the launch of its first model here, a fully electric crossover, the Atto 3.

The ATTO 3 is the first SUV to use BYD’s e-Platform 3.0, which is specifically made for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV).

Fully-imported (CBU), the Atto 3 comes in two variants, Standard Range priced at MYR 149,800, and the Extended Range at MYR 167,800. 

Each purchase comes with a six-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty, eight-year/160,000 km battery warranty, and eight-year/150,000 km drive unit warranty.

Five colours are available, e.g., Ski White, Boulder Grey, Forest Green, Parkour Red, and Surf Blue.

The BYD Atto 3 stands at 4,455 mm in length, 1,875 mm in width, 1,615 mm in height and with a wheelbase spanning 2,720 mm.

Clean and sharp, the front is commanded by a chromed-out trim with the BYD script, accompanied by a sporty looking one-piece air vent that stretches from one edge to the other.

Matching the front, its rear gets an overall smooth layout, where the sporty factor is added by a roof-edge spoiler, and large air vents on the lower edges of the bumper.

Headlamps are full LED units with Adaptive Front Light (AFL) function. They are angularly-shaped, slim and pointed to give an overall focused outlook.

The tail lamps are also full LED units featuring a slim light bar design, stretching across the middle of the tailgate. 

They are power adjusted and power folded with turn- and blind spot-indicators, and also have a heating function.

The Standard Range is equipped with a set of 17-inch five spoke interwoven-patterned rims, wrapped in 215/60 R17 tires, while the Extended Range with a set of 18-inch rims in 215/55 R18 tires.

Featuring a two-toned colour scheme with silver trimmings, the BYD Atto 3’s dashboard is very minimalistic and clean. It has a very futuristic appeal with large screens commanding the layout. Overall, the cockpit layout is elegantly and logically designed to ensure a better driving experience.

It gets a 5-inch compact virtual instrument cluster.

Its five-seater interior features an Eclipse Blue/Hazy Grey colour combo in synthetic leather. Its gaming-like seats are power adjustable and offer six-way configurations for the driver, and four-way for the front passenger. 

Front and rear occupants have no issues with space as it has generous headroom, leg room and shoulder room. 

It has practical little spaces like a centre console storage box, medium sized glove box, front seatback pockets, and front and rear door storage.

There are four cup holders. Two located in the front centre console, and two more in the rear centre armrest.

It features a 12-V power socket, multiple USB-A and USB-C ports (one set located in the front cabin, another in the rear), as well as standard 2.2-kW V2L (vehicle to load) function for external devices. The Extended range adds on a wireless phone charger.

Boot space is 440-litres with all seats up, extending to a maximum of 1,340-litres with all seats down. 

The BYD Atto 3 features a comprehensive set of Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). E.g., Stop & Go Full Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC-S&G), Automatic Emergency Braking System (AEB), Front Collision Warning (FCW), Rear Collision Warning (RCW), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Rear Cross Traffic Brake (RCTB).

Passive safety includes front and side airbags (driver and front passenger), side curtain airbags (front and rear), far-side airbag (driver), seatbelt reminder (front and rear), ISOFIX (outer rear seats), 360-degree view monitor, two front and four rear radars (parking sensors), adaptive headlamps, Electric Parking Brake System (EPB), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Hill Descent Control (HDC), Door Open Warning (DOW), and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

The comprehensive set of ADAS will make driving less fatigue and much safer in urban areas. Plus, with the other supporting systems, long-distance travels will be less of a burden for the driver as well as ensuring the safety of the occupants on board.

It is equipped with a 12.8-inch intelligent rotating touchscreen (landscape/portrait) infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice assistant, and satellite navigation.

The Standard Range features a six-speaker setup, while the Extended Range gets an eight-speaker ‘Dirac HD’ setup.

The BYD Atto 3 has a front-mounted electric motor (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor), producing 150-kW/203 HP and 310 NM of torque. 

It is powered by BYD’s Blade Battery, 49.92-kWh in the Standard Range, and 60.48-kWh in the Extended Range.

It has a Single Speed automatic transmission.

Power is sent to the front wheels.

It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds.

Featuring a 400-Volt electrical architecture, the Standard Range supports AC charging up to 7-kW (8 hours to full charge), and DC charging up to 70-kW (1 hour 20 minutes from 0 to 80% charge). The Extended Range supports AC charging up to 7-kW (9 hours and 30 minutes to full charge), and DC charging up to 80-kW (1 hour and 20 minutes from 0 to 80%).

The Standard Range offers up to 345 km (WLTP) of driving range, while the Extended Range offers up to 420 km (WLTP).

Standard kit includes keyless entry and start, voice assistant, automatic air-conditioning with rear air vents, CN95 air filter, power-adjustable front seats with six-way configurations for the driver, and four-way for the front passenger, multifunction steering wheel, exterior mirrors with heating function, portable card key, electric unlock tailgate, panoramic sunroof with electric slide and anti-trap, and single-colour gradient ambient lighting. The Extended Range adds on a PM 2.5 air filter system, one-touch open/close tailgate, and multi-colour gradient ambient lighting with music rhythm.

Ride comfortability feels flexible and firm at the same time. The vehicle delivers a comfortable yet connected steering feel, smooth overall ride at all speeds. 

It has good sound insulation, with very good NVH aspects, the ride is quiet, more refined and the road noise is mostly muted.