BYD's big power move

BYD has powered up its Atto 3 in China.

The popular small SUV is on the receiving end of a healthy power bump in its home nation, with it now using the more powerful electric motor from the BYD Seal sedan.

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Reports also state this means it could be in line for faster charging, with it likely to match the Seal’s 150kW DC charging limit. The current Atto 3 taps out at either 70kW or 88kW depending on the variant.

This upgrade follows a redesigned Atto 3 shown earlier this year.

One of the big changes is likely to be the addition of advanced self-driving technology. 

A new camera in the front bumper points to the inclusion of this tech, which BYD is reportedly going to rollout across its entire line-up regardless of vehicle cost.

It is believed BYD has focused on urban self-driving and highway self-driving features in its next-gen technology.

The revised version comes with some styling and tech tweaks, too.

It comes with a new front bumper with a larger air intake and it has a fresh rear bumper.

This is joined by a new rear spoiler and redesigned tail-lights.

These changes are complemented by a few additional black and chrome highlights.

BYD is embarking on a full scale assault of the Australian new-car market, with five new models to arrive in the coming months.

BYD will launch the Atto 2 electric SUV and Sealion 8 plug-in hybrid three-row family SUV.

This will be joined by the Atto 1 hatchback — called Seagull in China and other markets — which will likely be the cheapest EV on sale in Australia by some margin when it arrives.

BYD’s luxury and off-road focused sub-brand Denza will launch two vehicles soon, too.

First will be the mid-size B5 plug-in hybrid off-roader, which is based on the Shark 6 ute, and the Toyota Prado-rivalling B8 four-wheel drive.

Other vehicles have been spotted on Australia roads including the Seal wagon plug-in hybrid, but the Chinese brand has not confirmed whether that will arrive here in the future.