The trend of cheaper electric vehicles continues: BYD importer Shlomo Motors launched this morning the Atto 3 EVO, a refreshed version of what was the best-selling car and EV in Israel in 2023 and 2024.
Although the exterior design has changed only slightly, the new model is based on an updated platform, switches to rear-wheel drive, uses an 800-volt battery system that shortens charging times, and is now also offered for the first time in an all-wheel-drive version, which is the cheapest of its kind on the market. The dimensions remain unchanged: Length is now 4.45 meters, width 1.875 meters, height 1.615 meters. Wheelbase: 2.72 meters. Boot capacity has increased by 50 liters to 490 liters, and a relatively large front trunk (frunk) of 101 liters has been added.
The battery now has a capacity of 74.8 kWh instead of 60.5 kWh, and the fast-charging rate has increased from 110 kW to 220 kW. The result: Official range has increased from 420 km to 510 km, a significant improvement over one of the few weaknesses of the outgoing model, with about 25 minutes needed to charge from 10% to 80% at a compatible station. The all-wheel-drive version has a shorter official range of 470 km, and both versions support vehicle-to-load (V2L) external power supply. AC charging remains at 11 kW, and external devices can be powered at a rate of 3.3 kW.
The battery warranty has been extended to 8 years or 250,000 km, currently the longest in the market, while the vehicle warranty stands at 6 years or 150,000 km.
Performance has improved accordingly: The rear-wheel-drive version has been upgraded to 313 hp and 38 kgm of torque and now accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds, with a top speed of 180 km/h. The all-wheel-drive version adds a front motor, bringing total output to 449 hp with 56 kgm of torque, allowing it to shave another 1.6 seconds for a total 0–100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds, and reach a top speed of 200 km/h. Improvements in ride comfort and handling are also promised.
The “Design” trim (starting at NIS 155,000) is now the entry-level model. Equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, electrically adjustable driver and passenger seats, a 15.6-inch infotainment screen with Google-based operating system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging, a standard dashcam, a power tailgate, and a 360-degree camera system.
The “Excellence” trim (starting at NIS 165,000) adds all-wheel drive and performance upgrades, a head-up display for the driver, heated front seats, and a panoramic roof with an electric sunshade.
Safety: The outgoing model received a 5-star rating in European crash tests. Active safety systems include autonomous emergency braking in forward and reverse, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and lane departure correction, blind-spot monitoring and collision prevention, driver attention monitoring, and a child presence warning system.
The new pricing positions the Atto 3 against the Deepal S05, which has become this year’s best-selling EV in the market after aggressive pricing starting at NIS 150,000, as well as a long list of other electric crossovers such as the Geely EX5, Jaecoo 5, Aion V, Chery FX, and even the new Hyundai Kona Electric. The all-wheel-drive version is the cheapest car in Israel capable of going from 0–100 km/h in under 4 seconds, about NIS 10,000 cheaper than the sporty MG4.
The Atto 3 will no longer be able to repeat the numbers it achieved three years ago, when it nearly had the market to itself during a period of high demand for EVs with reduced taxation and registration fees. However, the new model could once again become a significant player and help the comeback the market needs, in which Israel is lagging behind Europe, which already has an EV market share of 20%, twice that of Israel today.