New flagship E-SUV: This is what the BYD Atto 8 offers
BYD unveils its new flagship model, the Atto 8. It features up to seven seating positions and a range of over 600 kilometers, and thanks to flash-charging technology, it can be charged from 10% to 97% in just nine minutes. By the end of 2027, there are expected to be 3,000 such flash-charging stations in Europe.
Image: BYD
The BYD Atto 8 is an E-SUV that measures 5.04 meters in length, 2.00 meters in width, and 1.76 meters in height, designed to accommodate up to seven passengers. It made its debut at the 2026 Paris Auto Show as the new flagship model of the Chinese brand. It will replace the BYD Tang when it enters the European market in the first quarter of 2027. With this model and platform change, BYD’s upper-class lineup gains numerous technical advancements, including significantly reduced charging times. As is typical in such cases, this will also lead to higher prices. Although no official prices have been released yet, given the current price reduction of the BYD Tang from 75,000 euros to 47,990 euros, the Atto 8 is likely to start at no less than 75,000 euros.
Flash charging is said to enable a full charge in nine minutes
The highlight of the new BYD Atto 8 is likely its flash-charging feature, which brings BYD to Europe for the first time. It relies on the second generation of Blade batteries, which can charge from 10% to 70% in five minutes with a capacity of 115 kWh, reaching 97% charge in nine minutes total. Temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius are said to only extend the charging time by about three minutes.
It should be noted, however, that such extremely fast charging times require a suitable charging station. By the end of 2027, 3,000 of these flash chargers are expected to be available in Europe. BYD has announced that it will install 300 flash chargers in Germany by the end of 2026.
Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD, commented on the new technology as follows: “[…] With charging times that approach those of refueling, electric mobility becomes even more practical for everyday use, and range anxiety is increasingly becoming a thing of the past. The Atto 8 demonstrates clearly how we translate our investments in research and development into tangible benefits for our customers. Our goal is not only to develop new technologies but also to integrate them quickly into market-ready vehicles that make life easier, more comfortable, and more sustainable for people around the world.”
The BYD Atto 8 is available with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.
At launch, the Atto 8 is available in two versions: Design RWD and Excellence AWD. As the Atto 8 Design, it features rear-wheel drive with a power output of 340 kW and 365 Newton meters of torque, enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds. The 115-kWh battery provides a combined WLTP range of up to 653 kilometers.
The all-wheel-drive Excellence AWD version delivers 570 kW and 775 Nm of power thanks to a second electric motor on the front axle, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. Like the rear-wheel-drive version, it uses a 115-kWh battery that still offers a WLTP range of up to 602 kilometers despite the higher power output.
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7-seater E-SUV
The BYD Atto 8’s 7-seater interior is covered by a panoramic glass roof measuring about 2.4 square meters. The seats and surfaces are upholstered in leather, velour leather, and soft-touch materials. The cockpit features a digital 10.25-inch speedometer, a 26-inch head-up display, and a central 15.6-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system utilizes integrated Google functions such as Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store.
The seats in the first and second rows are heated, ventilated, and come with a massage function. Additional features include a three-zone automatic climate control with separate controls in the rear, cup holders in the center armrests, and a front cooling and heating compartment with a temperature range of -6 °C to +50 °C.
There are two inductive 50-watt charging ports in the front area to power mobile devices. Additionally, there are four USB-C ports: two 60-watt ports at the front and two ports in the back with 18 and 60 watt charging capacities respectively. The trunk volume is 270 liters behind the third row of seats, increasing to up to 1,960 liters when the rear rows are folded down, with a 136-liter frunk area under the hood complementing this space.