BYD has unveiled the ATTO 8 at the Paris Motor Show. The seven-seat SUV becomes its new European flagship, and it’s the first BYD model in Europe to offer FLASH Charging. The company claims a 10 to 97 per cent top-up in nine minutes and up to 653 km of WLTP range. Sales are due to begin in the first quarter of 2027.
What is the ATTO 8?
BYD revealed the car in Paris on 12 October 2026. It sits above the ATTO 2, ATTO 3, SEALION 5 and SEAL U in the brand’s SUV range. In other words, it’s now the top of that line-up.
The ATTO 8 is a big car. It measures 5,040 mm long, 1,996 mm wide and 1,760 mm tall. That puts it firmly in the large SUV class, with room for seven people and their luggage. Up front, slim daytime running lights sit alongside matrix LED headlights. At the rear, meanwhile, the tail lights borrow a traditional Chinese knot pattern and link up through an illuminated BYD logo.
How fast does FLASH Charging work?
Charging is the headline act. The ATTO 8 uses BYD’s second-generation Blade battery, which holds 115 kWh. According to BYD, that pack can go from 10 to 70 per cent in five minutes. From the same starting point, it can then reach 97 per cent in nine minutes. BYD sums this up with the slogan “Ready in 5, Full in 9, Cold Add 3”.
The cold-weather claim also stands out. At temperatures as low as minus 30°C, BYD says the car needs just 12 minutes to charge from 20 to 97 per cent. However, these are manufacturer figures. Independent tests haven’t yet confirmed them.
Stella Li, BYD’s executive vice president, said the technology brings charging times close to the speed of filling a fuel tank. She added that range anxiety is increasingly becoming a thing of the past.
Of course, ultra-fast charging needs compatible chargers. BYD plans to expand its FLASH Charging network to 3,000 stations across Europe by the end of 2027. The company also argues that the ATTO 8 needs about a third of the time comparable SUVs take to charge from 10 to 80 per cent. That comparison is BYD’s own, so it’s worth treating with some caution.
How much power and range does it offer?
BYD will offer two versions. First, the Design RWD has a single rear motor producing 340 kW (462 PS) and 365 Nm. It reaches 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds. BYD quotes up to 653 km of combined WLTP range, which it says is enough to drive from Paris to Frankfurt without a charging stop.
Next comes the Excellence AWD, which adds a front motor. As a result, system output rises to 570 kW (775 PS) and torque climbs to 775 Nm. BYD says this version sprints to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. It uses the same 115 kWh battery, and BYD quotes its WLTP range at up to 602 km.
For now, readers should treat both range figures as estimates. BYD states that the car isn’t on sale yet and that its consumption and emissions data are still under review.
What’s it like inside?
BYD has clearly designed the cabin around families. A 2.39 square metre panoramic glass roof lets in plenty of light. Both versions get a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 26-inch widescreen head-up display and a 15.6-inch central touchscreen. Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Google Play Store come built in.
Comfort features are generous, too. The front seats offer heating, ventilation and massage, and the outer second-row seats get the same treatment. Third-row passengers have adjustable headrests, while three-zone climate control and separate rear controls keep everyone comfortable. All seats use real leather. The Design RWD has a ten-speaker sound system, whereas the Excellence AWD gets a 21-speaker DiSound setup.
Practicality looks strong as well. With all seven seats in place, there’s 270 litres of boot space. Fold the second and third rows, and that grows to 1,960 litres. There’s also a 136-litre front boot under the bonnet. On top of that, a front cool box can chill items to minus 6°C or warm them to 50°C. Two 50 W wireless pads and four USB-C ports take care of phone charging.
What else did BYD bring to Paris?
The SHARK pickup also made its EU debut at the show. It uses BYD’s DMO super hybrid system, which pairs two electric motors with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine that mainly acts as a generator. Combined output is 436 PS and 650 Nm, enough for 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds. Its 32.2 kWh Blade battery gives up to 90 km of electric range, and BYD quotes a total range of up to 675 km. It also supports DC charging at up to 55 kW, plus vehicle-to-load at up to 6 kW.
Meanwhile, the DOLPHIN SURF, BYD’s most affordable EV, gained a five-seat version. The Comfort trim now has a 12.8-inch touchscreen and a larger 8.8-inch instrument display. In addition, the gear selector moves to the steering column, and every version now gets automatic climate control.
When can buyers get one?
BYD plans to start ATTO 8 sales at European dealers in the first quarter of 2027. So far, it hasn’t announced prices. The SHARK will reach selected European markets within the next three months, with a wider roll-out planned for the first half of 2027. Finally, BYD says it’ll sell the four- and five-seat DOLPHIN SURF side by side, depending on demand in each market.
Until independent testing begins, the ATTO 8’s charging and range figures remain BYD’s own claims. Still, if they hold up, a nine-minute stop could change how families plan long trips in an electric seven-seater.
