The BYD Atto 8 crossover has officially arrived in South Africa, offering 7 seats and a plug-in hybrid powertrain boasting up to 359 kW. Here’s what it costs…
- BYD Auto launches Atto 8 PHEV in Mzansi
- Pair of 7-seater variants available at launch
- Performance AWD flagship makes 359 kW
South Africa’s rapidly growing plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) segment has just gained a fresh entrant in the form of the new BYD Atto 8, a dual-powered crossover that features seating for 7 occupants.
Known as the “Tang L” in its domestic market of China and as the “Sealion 8” in some other countries, the new Atto 8 measures 5 040 mm from front to back. For reference, that means it’s a little lengthier than the fully electric Volvo EX90 (5 037 mm) and almost as long as the Audi Q7 (5 072 mm).
The newcomer from the Chinese new-energy vehicle (NEV) brand is available locally in 2 guises: Atto 8 Premium and the Atto 8 Performance AWD. The former is priced from R1 059 900, while the latter kicks off some R200 000 higher, at R1 259 900.
In each case, the PHEV powertrain is built around a 110 kW/220 Nm turbocharged 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine. The front-wheel-drive Atto 8 Premium features a single electric motor (200 kW and 315 Nm) that draws its urge from a 19.0 kWh battery pack, with total system power standing at 205 kW. For this variant, BYD claims an all-electric range of 75 km and a combined range of 892 km.
Meanwhile, the all-wheel-drive Atto 8 Performance adds a 2nd electric motor (sited on the rear axle and generating an additional 200 kW and 360 Nm), boosting the PHEV arrangement’s combined power output to 359 kW. This flagship derivative furthermore upgrades to a 35.6 kWh battery pack, offering a claimed 130 km of all-electric range (with the listed total coming in at 844 km). Expect a 0-100 kph dash in around 4.9 seconds.
According to BYD, standard features for the Premium grade include 20-inch alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 15.6-inch touchscreen, a 10-speaker sound system, powered front seats (with heating and ventilation), wireless smartphone charging, 3-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof and a raft of advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) functions.
The Performance trim level adds items like 21-inch alloys, adaptive dampers, a head-up display, 8-way (rather than 6-way) electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, massage functions (for both the 1st and 2nd rows), heating and ventilation for the 2nd row, a 21-speaker audio system and ambient cabin lighting.
BYD says the 7-seater Atto 8 has a luggage capacity of 270 litres with the 3rd row of 2 seats in place. That figure ostensibly improves to 960 litres with the final row folded down, before ballooning to 1 960 litres with the 2nd row dropped flat, too.
What does the new BYD Atto 8 cost in SA?
| DERIVATIVE | PRICE |
| BYD Atto 8 Premium | R1 059 900 |
| BYD Atto 8 Performance AWD | R1 259 900 |
The prices above include a 5-year/100 000 km vehicle warranty, a 5-year/100 000 km powertrain warranty, an 8-year/200 000 km battery warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the BYD Atto 8 PHEV
Q: How does the BYD Atto 8 compare in size to other luxury 7-seater SUVs?
A: Measuring 5 040 mm in length, the Atto 8 is a substantial vehicle, placing it in the same size category as the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90. This generous footprint allows for a full 7-seat configuration while still providing 270 litres of luggage space with all three rows in use (expanding to a massive 1 960 litres when the seats are folded flat).
Q: What is the real-world benefit of the Atto 8 Performance AWD’s dual-motor setup?
A: Beyond the security of all-wheel drive, the Performance AWD variant offers a massive jump in power to 359 kW, enabling it to hit 100 kph in just 4.9 seconds. It also features a significantly larger 35.6 kWh battery, which almost doubles the pure-electric driving range to 130 km (compared to the 75 km offered by the Premium variant).
Q: What aftersales benefits are included with the Atto 8 in South Africa?
A: BYD includes a comprehensive ownership package to support its R1-million-plus flagship. This includes a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan and vehicle warranty, plus an 8-year/200 000 km battery warranty.
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