In a bid to shake up South Africa’s electric vehicle market, BYD has announced the Atto 1 is heading to Mzansi. Here’s what we know so far…
BYD’s (Build Your Dreams) South African product portfolio comprises six models. However, soon, the Chinese automaker will expand its local model line-up with a brand-new offering, the Atto 1. So, just what can you expect from this upcoming affordable electric vehicle (EV)? Well, let’s take a closer look…
Stepping inside, the company’s most compact offering plays host to a raft of big-car items, including a 10.1-inch infotainment screen that can be rotated between landscape and portrait orientation. The touch-enabled item incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto screen mirroring, and features the firm’s “Hi BYD” voice command setup. A digital driver’s display, sited fore a multifunction steering wheel, is also present.
The Atto 1 is small but spacious, connected but affordable, bold but practical.
A neat addition to the package, the car can also be linked to your smartphone through the BYD app. This allows owners to not only check the battery’s level of charge or receive EV range or charging status, but also to remotely unlock/lock the car and pre-condition the cabin to a desired temperature before getting in.
Another neat feature, the Atto 1 offers Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, which, in essence, allows the car to operate as a mobile power bank. However, if you thought it’s only to charge smart devices such as smartphones and tablets, you would be mistaken. Among other items, you can power a coffee machine or outdoor lighting when going on a weekend away. Indeed, the carmaker says the Atto 1 was so designed to become a part of your lifestyle and not just your daily commute.
This is not just a car. It’s a movement. A statement. A step into a smarter way of getting around.
Said the Shenzhen brand, “South Africa has been crying out for an electric vehicle that delivers on both value and experience. Until now, most EVs have been either too premium, too big or too niche for the average consumer. The Atto 1 changes that. It’s small but spacious, connected but affordable, bold but practical.”