Exclusive: BYD’s new Yuan Plus to arrive in NZ as Atto 5 in 2027
Words: Richard Edwards
The third-generation BYD Yuan Plus, previously sold in NZ as the Atto 3, revealed at this week’s Beijing motor show will be sold in New Zealand as the Atto 5 when it arrives in 2027.
BYD Auto NZ general manager Warren Willmot has confirmed the new model will replace the current Atto 3 in the local range, but will wear a higher number to reflect its larger size.
The current Atto 3 is based on the existing Yuan Plus. With the new Yuan Plus moving up a size class, BYD NZ has chosen the Atto 5 badge to reflect the step up.
A bigger car
The new Yuan Plus is significantly larger than today’s Atto 3, measuring 4,665mm long, 1,895mm wide and 1,675mm tall, on a 2,770mm wheelbase. That makes it 210mm longer and 50mm wider than the current car, with the wheelbase extended by 50mm.
The platform also switches from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive, with two single-motor outputs of 200kW or 240kW. The current Atto 3 produces 150kW.
Two battery options have been announced: a 57.5kWh pack rated at 540km CLTC range, and a 68.5kWh pack rated at 630km. Both use BYD’s second-generation Blade battery and use an 800 volt platform.
BYD says the new car is compatible with its Flash Charging system, which the company claims can charge the battery from 10 to 70 per cent in five minutes, and 10 to 97 per cent in nine minutes.
Tech and cabin
In China, the new Yuan Plus also introduces BYD’s LiDAR-based DiPilot 300 driver assistance system, although that technology is unlikely to be offered in New Zealand. Cabin features include a floating central touchscreen, head-up display, two-spoke steering wheel, twin wireless phone chargers, a 16-speaker audio system, a heated and cooled centre console fridge, and a power tailgate.
Pricing and final New Zealand specifications for the Atto 5 will be confirmed closer to launch.
