Seven-Seat BYD Atto 8 Electric SUV Recharges To 97 Percent In Nine Minutes

At the Paris Motor Show on October 12, BYD introduced the Atto 8, its largest and most upscale seven-seat electric SUV designed for the European market. Scheduled to arrive in European showrooms in the first quarter of 2027, the flagship crossover is built around a second-generation Blade battery with a capacity of 115 kWh and showcases ultra-rapid charging capabilities.

The Atto 8 features a three-row layout with generous exterior dimensions, measuring 198.4 inches in length, 78.6 inches in width, and 69.3 inches in height. Inside, the cabin is fitted with a panoramic glass roof covering 25.7 square feet and a 15.6-inch central touchscreen. Stella Li, Executive Vice President at BYD, described the vehicle as proof of concept for the brand's broader technological ambitions, highlighting its role in transforming intelligence into reality. The seven-seater enters a competitive landscape alongside rivals such as the Skoda Peaq, though the third row remains best suited for children or shorter journeys.

Buyers will be able to choose between two powertrain configurations. The entry-level Design version utilizes a rear-wheel-drive layout with a single electric motor producing 455 horsepower. It accelerates from zero to 62 mph in approximately 5.8 seconds and delivers a claimed WLTP driving range of 405 miles. The higher-spec Excellence trim adds a second motor for all-wheel drive, generating a combined output of 764 horsepower and 571 lb-ft of torque. This performance model drops the 0-62 mph sprint time to 4.6 seconds, while its WLTP range is rated at 374 miles.

The headline innovation of the Atto 8 is BYD's Flash Charging technology. According to manufacturer claims, the battery can charge from 10 to 70 percent in five minutes, and from 10 to 97 percent in just nine minutes. Achieving these charging speeds requires plugging into proprietary BYD Flash chargers operating at up to 1,500 kilowatts. On third-party charging networks, charging rates will be constrained by available station hardware. BYD plans to roll out 3,000 Flash charging stations across Europe by the end of 2027. In extreme cold weather conditions at minus 30 degrees Celsius (minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit), charging from 10 to 97 percent takes 12 minutes.