BYD reveals flagship 7-seat electric SUV with over 400 miles of range

The flagship seven-seater is BYD’s first vehicle in Europe to feature its second-generation batteries and Flash Charging tech, delivering over 400 miles of range.

BYD launches new flagship Atto 8 in Europe

“BYD is all about turning intelligence into reality,” Stella Li, the company’s executive vice president, said on Monday.

The Atto 8 is the “perfect example,” Li added, featuring its latest breakthrough tech, including its second-generation Blade Batteries and Flash Charging system.

Introduced at the Paris Auto Show, the flagship SUV is the first BYD vehicle to feature its Flash Charging system, enabling it to recharge just as fast as filling up at the gas station. It takes just five minutes to charge from 10% to 80%.

A full recharge, or going from 10% to 97%, takes just nine minutes. According to BYD, that’s about a third of the time rival SUVs take to go from 10% to 80%.

Even in temperatures as low as -30°C, it requires only 12 minutes for the vehicle’s battery to recharge from 20% to 97%.

Measuring 5,040 mm long, 1,996 mm wide, and 1,760 mm tall, the Atto 8 is about the size of other full-size electric SUVs, such as the Hyundai IONIQ 9 and Kia EV9.

BYD’s flagship SUV comes in two all-electric variants with the choice of rear- and all-wheel-drive powertrains.

The Design RWD model has a single rear motor producing 456 hp (340 kW) and 269 lb-ft (365 Nm) of torque, which BYD said delivers a 0 to 62 mph time of eight seconds.

Powered by a 115 kWh BYD Blade 2.0 battery, the Atto 8 offers an impressive WLTP range of up to 405 miles (600+ km). For example, BYD said the flagship SUV offers enough electric range to drive from London to Edinburgh.

The Atto 8 Excellence AWD, on the other hand, adds a front electric motor for a combined output of 764 hp (570 kW) and 572 lb-ft (775 Nm) of torque. The added power delivers a sports-car-rivaling 0- 62 mph acceleration time of 4.6 seconds and a WLTP range of 374 miles.

Inside, natural light fills the spacious cabin thanks to a 2.39m2 panoramic glass roof. Both Atto 8 variants have a 10.25″ digital instrument cluster, a 26″ head-up display, and a 15.6″ central infotainment touchscreen with Google Built-in.

BYD said the Atto 8 is specifically tailored for those looking for a “zero compromise” seven-seat SUV.

The front seats and outer seats of the middle row feature heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Rear passengers get their own air-conditioning control panel. All seats are upholstered in genuine leather.

The Design RWD model features a 10-speaker sound system, while the Excellence AWD gains a 21-speaker DiSound audio system, plus an added front refrigerator.

With the second and third rows folded, the Atto 8 offers up to 1,960L capacity. Even with all three rows up, the full-size SUV offers 270L of luggage space. Plus, there’s a 136L frunk (front trunk).

BYD said dealers in Europe will begin selling the Atto 8 in the first quarter of 2027. Prices have yet to be announced, but given it will be positioned above the Ti 7, a plug-in hybrid seven-seat SUV, it will likely start at slightly over £47,995 ($65,000) on the road in the UK.

In Europe, BYD currently sells the Tang, an electric seven-seat SUV. In Germany, the BYD Tang typically starts at €75,000 ($84,000), but it’s currently on sale for €47,990 ($54,000).