BYD’s upgraded Atto 3 electric car creeps closer to launch.
The updated small electric SUV has been spotted testing in China, according to CarNewsChina, not long after it was revealed via homologation documents in its home market.
The updated Atto 3 isn’t a revolution, but rather an evolution of the existing model.
Styling and tech tweaks will headline the revised version.
It comes with a new front bumper with a larger air intake and it has a fresh rear bumper, too.
This is joined by a new rear spoiler and redesigned tail-lights.
These changes are complemented by a few additional black and chrome highlights.

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.
BYD has reportedly moved very fast developing the technology, getting up to speed in about two years.
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It has been reported BYD has worked with Chinese tech giants Huawei and DJI to develop the software needed to fit the self-driving technology in its vehicles.
The advanced software helps the vehicle maintain its spot in the lane while driving and can even assist with changing lanes in vehicles fitted with the future tech.
There are no interior shots yet, but it is likely there will be some tweaks inside too.
There isn’t expected to be any changes underneath the Atto 3, which means it will maintain the same battery and motors as current versions.
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Two battery options are currently available: a circa-50kWh unit delivering a driving range up to 345km, and a roughly 60kWh pack providing up to 420km of range.
Both batteries are lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which do without rare earth metals such as nickel and cobalt. They are cheaper to build but less energy dense than the nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries found in higher-end electric cars.
Sales of the Atto 3 plummeted in Australia in 2024, dropping from about 11,000 in 2023 to less than 6000.
This is likely due to BYD beefing up its local range with three new models providing more options for buyers and the Atto 3 starting to show its age.
Sales should get a bump this year thanks to the new entry-level Atto 3 Essential variant arriving in January that drops the price below $40,000.