Lancashire Hosts BYD for a Driving Day With the Atto 3

Newcomer brand BYD has already discovered the joys of the north, choosing to host a driving day for its Atto 3 electric compact SUV in Lancashire.

BYD — retconned to mean “Build Your Dreams”, though originally an initialism of the company name “Biyadi” when founded in 1995 — is one of the largest electric vehicle manufacturers in the world. Alongside constructing commercial and passenger vehicles, it also builds its own battery components, including the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells used in its “blade” batteries.

The Chinese marque only entered the UK market this year, with the Atto 3 (known as the “Yuan Plus” in China, part of the Dynasty Series) and the Ocean Series Dolphin hatchback and Seal saloon. All three vehicles are battery-electric only,

Designed by former Alfa Romeo and Audi designer Wolfgang Egger — who also created the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione — the Atto 3 is a C-segment SUV, created to take on the likes of the MG ZS, Skoda Enyaq, and Volkswagen ID.4. Prices starts from £36,490 for the entry level “Active” grade.

The Atto 3 is equipped with a 61kWh version of BYD’s blade battery, which the brand claims is up to 89% efficient and can withstand penetration by a metal nail without a runaway thermal reaction. That gives a claimed range of 260 miles under WLTP conditions.

BYD chose the unusual Last Drop Village Hotel and Spa near Bolton as a base for the event. This sprawling location was originally converted into a themed village from a collection of 17th century farm buildings owned by the Orrell family of the nearby Turton Tower.

The hotel sits on the southern edge of the West Pennine Moors, which made for ideal scenery for the driving route. You’ll be able to read our members’ impressions in their various outlets soon.