BYD Philippines is renowned for being one of the few local carmakers to offer a model lineup comprised entirely of electric vehicles (EV).

But by the end of 2023, the Chinese manufacturer will enter the compact crossover wars with the BYD ATTO 3, according to an August 2023 statement by AC Motors.

AutoFun Philippines was the first to report that AC Motors, the automotive arm of the Ayala Corporation, would take over the local operations of BYD Philippines.

Two variants?

Although AC Motors has yet to release the final specifications for the ATTO 3 for the Philippine market, two variants were briefly available under the previous distributor.

The ATTO 3 Dynamic came with a 50 kW-h battery pack and a claimed maximum WLTP range of 320 km. Meanwhile, the ATTO 3 Premium had a 60-kWh battery pack with a 420-km claimed maximum WLTP range.

According to the BYD Philippines website, the 2023 ATTO 3 is a front-wheel-drive EV built on the company's e-Platform 3.0. 

It has a permanent magnet synchronous motor producing 204 PS and 310 Nm of torque. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 7.3 seconds, with a top speed of 160 km/h.

Details on pricing have yet to be released, although the ATTO 3 used to start at ₱2,498,000.

AC Motors said it would take advantage of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s executive order that sets duties for imported EVs and spare parts to zero. The measure led to a substantial price drop for various EVs sold in the Philippines.

Cutting-edge EV tech

BYD is one of the world’s leading EV manufacturers, known particularly for its “Blade Battery” technology.

The Dynamic variant allows 70-kW DC charging through a GB connector, while the Premium variant has an 80-kW DC charging capability, also using a GB connector.

The ATTO 3 has vehicle-to-load capability, meaning you can power common household appliances or charge devices using the supplied adaptor. 

The crossover's DC fast-charging time takes 90 minutes, while regular AC charging takes 7 to 8 hours.

Corolla Cross Hybrid rival

The BYD ATTO 3 is similar in size to a Toyota Corolla Cross, but longer and wider than an MG ZS. 

Under the previous distributor, the ATTO 3 came with 17-inch wheels for the Standard variant and 18-inch alloys for the Premium. LED headlights, heated and retracting side mirrors, roof rails and a panoramic sunroof were included in the higher variant.

Inside, all models get synthetic leather seats and an electric tailgate. Cargo space is 440 liters with the rear seats up, expanding to 1,340 liters with the rear seats folded down. 

Other unique interior features include a 12.8-inch tablet-like touchscreen display that controls everything from air-conditioning to infotainment and car settings. The display rotates vertically to provide a different orientation according to the driver's or passengers' preference. 

Over-the-air updates can install future software and connectivity options, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Assuming that the price is right, can the BYD ATTO 3 sweep crossover buyers into the electric revolution?

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