BYD Unveils New Atto 8 SUV, Expected in Israel by Early 2027

Chinese automaker BYD has revealed its new Atto 8, a large, seven-seat electric SUV, at the Paris Motor Show. This model will sit at the top of BYD's SUV lineup, positioned above the Atto 3. The Atto 8 boasts significant advancements in its second-generation Blade battery technology and ultra-fast charging capabilities, which the company claims can charge the battery from 10% to 97% in just nine minutes under optimal conditions.

The vehicle is set to launch in Europe and Israel during the first quarter of 2027. It will be available in rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations, with power outputs up to 775 horsepower and a maximum range of 653 kilometers (406 miles) per WLTP standards. Pricing for the Israeli market has not yet been announced.

The Atto 8 features BYD's latest design language, with a wide front end, slim daytime running lights, and Matrix LED headlights. Its dimensions measure 5.04 meters long, nearly 2 meters wide, and 1.76 meters high, placing it in the large SUV category and making it approximately 25 cm longer than the Kia Sorento. The cargo space offers 270 liters with all seats in use, expanding to 1,960 liters when rear seats are folded, plus a 136-liter front trunk.

Inside, the Atto 8 includes a 15.6-inch central touchscreen with Google Built-in services, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 26-inch augmented reality head-up display. Premium features include a panoramic glass roof, genuine leather upholstery, tri-zone climate control, and heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats. The outer seats in the second row also offer these functions, while the third row has adjustable headrests. Additional amenities include a front cooler, dual 50W wireless charging pads, and USB-C ports. Audio systems vary by trim, with up to 21 speakers in the top Excellence version.

Powertrain options include two all-electric versions with a 115 kWh Blade battery. The Design RWD model has a rear motor producing 462 horsepower, accelerating from 0-100 km/h in eight seconds with a 653 km range. The Excellence AWD version features dual motors for a combined 775 horsepower, achieving 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds with a 602 km range. A plug-in hybrid variant is also planned, expected about two months after the electric versions' release, though technical details are pending.

BYD is developing its proprietary FLASH Charging technology, aiming to deploy 3,000 charging stations across Europe by the end of 2027. In Israel, the importer, Shlomo Motors, plans a pilot program for the technology by the end of the year, with full deployment in early 2027, coinciding with the Atto 8 and D-Zeta models' arrival.