BYD has unveiled the all-electric Atto 8 at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, expanding the flagship SUV’s international lineup alongside the existing plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version. The EV variant also marks BYD’s debut of ultra-fast ‘Flash Charging’ technology, which can charge its 115kWh battery from 10 to 97 percent in just nine minutes. Meanwhile, the PHEV version continues with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with either a 19kWh or a 35.6kWh battery.
- Gets a 115kWh battery pack with a claimed WLTP range of up to 653km
- ‘Flash Charging’ tops up the battery from 10-70 percent in 5 minutes
- Exterior and interior design is similar to the PHEV version
BYD Atto 8 EV powertrain details
EV version is available in both RWD, AWD guises, and supports ‘Flash Charging’
The BYD Atto 8 EV is offered with a 115kWh battery pack powering either a rear axle-mounted electric motor (RWD) or a dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup. The RWD version puts out 462hp and 365Nm, and does a 0-100kph run in a claimed 8 seconds. It has a claimed WLTP range of 653km. The AWD version has a combined output of 775hp and 775Nm, and does a 0-00kph run in just 4.6 seconds (claimed). It has a claimed WLTP range of 602km.
The headline, however, is ‘Flash Charging’ support, a first for any BYD, which can recharge the battery pack from 10 to 97 percent in just nine minutes. This charging technology can top up the battery from 0 to 70 percent in just five minutes. In extremely cold temperatures as low as -30deg C, when charging power is drastically reduced, it takes only 12 minutes to charge from 20 to 97 percent.
The BYD Atto 8 PHEV, meanwhile, continues with a 148hp 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine paired with either a 19kWh or a 35.6kWh battery. The smaller battery has a FWD setup with 275hp output, while the larger battery has an AWD setup with a combined output of 481hp.
BYD Atto 8 EV exterior design
Save for new alloys and missing tailpipe, the EV’s exterior design mimics the PHEV’s
Save for more aerodynamic alloy wheels and a missing tailpipe, the Atto 8 EV looks identical to the PHEV version. Up front, it gets a blanked-off grille with matrix LED headlights and a curved LED DRL bar, and a black section on the lower portion of the bumper with functional air inlets to cool the internals. A LiDAR sensor can also be seen on the roof.
In profile, it sports black alloy wheels with aerodynamic inserts, flared wheel arches and slim roof rails. There’s a chrome strip on the front fender extending to the front doors and a black portion on the lower section of the doors. At the rear, it gets 'infinity knot' LED taillights with an illuminated BYD logo in the centre, and a roof-mounted spoiler.
BYD Atto 8 EV interior and features
7-seater SUV gets dual digital screens, panoramic glass roof and 3-zone AC
The interior design of the Atto 8 EV is identical to the PHEV. The dashboard continues with a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 3-spoke steering wheel, thankfully with physical buttons and scrollers. The dashboard features slim air vents and a lot of soft-touch leather elements.
It gets 7 seats in a 2+2+3 configuration, with a 270-litre boot space like the PHEV. However, it has a 136-litre frunk (boot space under the hood), which is unique to the EV version. The first and second rows feature heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. Other features include a panoramic glass roof, 3-zone climate control, a 21-speaker DiSound audio system, dual 50-watt wireless phone chargers and a front refrigerator that can cool to -6deg C and warm to 50deg C.
Internationally, the BYD Atto 8 EV locks horns with the Kia EV9, Skoda Peaq and Hyundai Ioniq 9.