Aussie-bound BYD Atto 3 shown off in right-hand drive in new promos

BYD is promoting the upcoming launch of the Atto 3 electric SUV in Australia through its social media. Look carefully at the image that’s been posted and you’ll see the steering wheel is on the right-hand side.

On BYD Australia social media the car is referred to as an “electric SUV”, but internationally it continues to be referred to by the Chinese auto giant as the Yuan Plus.

The Atto 3 name for Australia was revealed last week on Australian sales agent evdIrect’s website.

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The name and vehicle will be officially announced on Saturday night February 19 during a function at the first BYD EV Experience Centre in the Sydney suburb of Darlinghurst.

Full details of the car and the ordering process will go live on the evdirect.com.au website. Customer deliveries are not expected before mid-year.

BYD is promising up to six models on-sale in Australia within 24 months.

Under the headline ‘Energy Awaken Now’, the he BYD promo for the Atto 3/Yuan Plus describes it as “efficient, intelligent and ultra-safe”.

Since evcentral.com.au first broke the Atto 3 story last week, evdirect boss Luke Todd has told another media outlet all BYD models sold in Australia will have the Atto name plus a number.

So presumably, the small EA1 hatchback will be the Atto 1 is and when it shows up.

Todd forecast a price for the Atto 3 equivalent to the MG ZS EV – which means mid $40K before incentives – but it will have a longer range, faster charging and over the air updates.

He said BYD can build up to 1200 right-hand drive EVs per month in China for Australia and New Zealand. He claimed 15,000 expressions of interest had been placed on the website already.

Based on BYD’s new e-Platform 3.0, the five-seater Atto 3 comes with a choice of 50.1kWh and 60.5kWh Blade battery packs that provide a claimed range up to 430km and 510km.

It is powered by a 150kW/310Nm e-motor that enables 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.2 seconds.