BYD Atto 3 to add Performance grade, Sealion 8 inbound and vans too?

The BYD Atto 3 will be getting an update soon for the MY26, and the range will include a Performance model. 

The updated MY26 Atto 3 will be available in Essential, Premium, and Performance grades. The Performance variant features all-wheel drive with 310kW of maximum power with 0–100km/h achieved in a claimed 3.97 seconds. The FWD Essential model is not so rapid; with power listed at 145kW, it clocks in at 7.9 seconds, while the Premium does it in 7.3 seconds. Other information regarding the upgrade will be made closer to its arrival here before the end of the year. 

Read more 2024 BYD Atto 3 Extended review

But that’s not all BYD has on the menu, with the Sealion 8 DM-i plug-in hybrid slated for arrival at some point too.   

Sealion 8 DM-i

Larger and more luxurious than the Sealion 5, the 8 DM-i Premium features a 19kWh LFP battery enabling 100km of electric range. Charging rates equate to 40kW DC and 6.6kW AC. It uses a 200kW motor to power the front-wheels, while the 110kW engine acts primarily as a range extender.  The 8 measures 5040mm in length, is almost 2m wide and rolls on 20-inch alloys. The fit out is likely to include synthetic leather seats, 10.25-inch instrumentation screen, a 15.6-inch infotainment display and a Bluetooth key.

Read more Big things coming from BYD – Sealion 5 drive

A Performance variant adds a 35.6kWh battery with 160km of electric range, while dual 200kW motors enable AWD, with 0-100 achieved in a claimed 4.9 seconds, making it somewhat quicker than the 8.6 second Premium model. The Performance also adds adaptive damping, heads-up display, leather seats with massage functions (even for those in the rear) and a heated wheel.

Pricing is TBC. 

BYD V9 

BYD is also considering the V9 electric van in short and long wheelbase variants measuring 5995mm and 6995mm respectively. Both feature an 80.36kWh battery with 280km WLTP range and container capacities of 13 cubic metres and 17.5 cubic metres.

Drive is provided by a 150kW/450Nm, payload is quoted at 1450kg for the SWB and 1330kg for the LWB. The V9 however, remains under consideration at this point.