BYD (Build Your Dreams) together with their local Thailand partner Rêver Automotive has just launched the all new Atto 3 electric car for under RM149k.
This BYD Atto 3 is the first a range of electric cars that will be built and launched for the Asia Pacific region and its selling price in Thailand is confirmed THB 1,199,900 which is about RM146,000 at this weeks exchange rate.
This means a possible selling price of below RM150,000 in Malaysia which puts the BYD hatchback side by side with the all new Renault Zoe (which retails at RM163,000) and the Nissan Leaf (which is priced just below RM170k) right now.
Interestingly, the Nissan Leaf and Renault Zoe demand is not as vibrant as the more expensive electric cars on offer in Malaysia right now as only Malaysians with higher disposal income is buying electric cars and they want premium models like the Volvo XC40 Recharge, Mercedes EQA and the Korean made IONIQ5 and EV6.
Meanwhile, luxury electric cars like the Porsche Taycan, Mercedes EQS+ and the BMW iX is selling faster than they cane be shipped into Malaysia.
So, with this Thailand launch of the latest Atto 3 we are quite sure that newly appointed BYD distributor for Malaysia, Sime Darby Motors will be launching the Atto 3 very soon, probably before this coming Christmas.
This best selling BYD Atto 3 is fitted with bigger Blade batteries, which is a 60kW unit that will provide a decent 480km driving range and will take just an hour to recharge on a DC quick charger.
On the other hand, using a household battery charging unit it will take about 11 hours which can easily be done overnight which is what most urban users will be doing.
BYD claims that the Atto 3 will deliver a standstill to 100km/h acceleration in 7.3 seconds. Its official energy consumption is rated at 14.9kWh/100km. This Atto 3 functions from a single entrance-wheel-drive motor producing 150kW of energy and 310Nm of torque.
The Atto 3 is a reasonable sized vehicle with 4,455mm length and a 2650mm wheelbase. The exterior design of the Atto 3 adopts a contemporary outer styling with BYD’s ‘Dragon Face 3.0’ design language
Inside this feature filled EV you get a 12.8-inch media display, which can be rotated to 90 degrees. Other possible options that can and might be included for the Malaysian buyer will be electrically adjusted seats, a sunroof and a refreshingly avant-garde inside design.
Safety and security for this popular Chinese made EV will be class competitive with 7 airbags, plus there is auto emergency braking, front and rear collision warning, lane departure warning, lane assist and rear cross alert.
BYD’s Atto 3 factory warranty will be comprehensive with a 6-year / 150,000km new car guarantee with a possible 6-year roadside assist included, whereas the Blade Battery will be covered by a 8-year/160,000km (whichever comes first) warranty.
