has unveiled the all-electric Atto 8 at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, expanding the flagship SUV’s international line-up 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.
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 0-100kph 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 10 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 the 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 tail-lights with an illuminated BYD logo in the centre, as well as a roof-mounted spoiler.
BYD Atto 8 EV interior and features
7-seat 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.