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.
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.
Viraaj Bhatnagar
