BYD Yuan Plus Transforms Under the Skin with 308 HP, RWD, & 800V Architecture – CleanTechnica

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The refreshed BYD Yuan Plus (aka Atto 3) appeared in recent regulatory filings with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). We will have more specific details when the vehicle is officially launched. Overall, the images show only minor tweaks to the exterior. However, there is one seemingly minor visual difference with significant implications, as pointed out by qq.com: the charging port has been moved from the front fender, below the A pillar (see below), to the rear fender (see top image).

For those not familiar with how BYD engineered its recent EVs, the SiC power electronics also serve as the onboard charger and are integrated with the primary drive motor. As such, the charge port location indicates where the primary drive motor is located. Unless something changed in its approach, BYD has shifted the Yuan Plus to RWD. With that shift, I expect that it has also added a “frunk.” In addition, the 308 hp (up 107 hp from the current model) TZ200XYC permanent magnet synchronous motor has only been used in RWD applications, like the larger Song L, providing another indication of the change.

As CarNewsChina reports, this is an 800V architecture motor, suggesting another significant shift under the skin from the current 400V platform. This change, along with the power electronics, will provide increased charging speed and efficiency. In addition, the weight has increased to 1880 kg, up from 1690 kg, with the most likely contributor being a significantly larger capacity battery, especially considering that the Blade Battery has increased in energy density since the Yuan Plus was first launched.

In the March refresh this year, the Chinese market saw an interior update (above) with more mature styling, HUD, refrigerator, and the shifter moved from the center console to the steering column. This trend seems to be proliferating throughout BYD models, with the refreshed Han Pilot edition appearing at dealers ahead of official launch with the shifter moved and piano black removed. Major improvements are also anticipated under the skin of that model, with DM-I battery range increasing (245 km) and EV efficiency improving (10.6 kWh/100 km). We will know more after the imminent launch.

The Shift in Product Indicates a Shift in Strategy

In June, BYD Chairman Wang Chaunfu told dealers that they were eliminating redundant models, with many anticipating that indicated older models would be cancelled. However, virtually every model in the Dynasty series is seeing significant upgrades under the skin, months after BYD launched its Intelligent Driving refreshes. Iterating on existing models can save money in development, letting automakers provide more value. BYD recently seemed to withdraw from the “price wars” and seems to be starting a “value war” by increasing vehicle performance and specification for roughly the same price. A recent example is the significantly improved Qin Plus that was accompanied by modest price cuts.

Beyond China, the increased power and RWD of the new Yuan Plus/Atto 3 indicate that this model is intended for global markets. There is also a good chance that they will use different gearing with the larger motor to perform better at higher speeds, similar to what they did with the Han L. In contrast, the new MG4 cut power and shifted to FWD to increase Chinese sales. Note: BYD is not the first automaker to make major shifts under the skin. The Volvo EX40 shifted from FWD to RWD. I rented a RWD recently in Sweden, where it has been the best selling EV so far this year, and the drive was significantly more sporty than the FWD version I had driven previously.

Overall, I anticipate that this model will hit global markets soon without a significant increase in price over the current model. I do not anticipate that the cosmetic changes seen in the March Chinese market refresh will make it to global market without the mechanical changes. Improving the value by adding features and performance presents a significantly different approach compared to a notable recent launch that is stripping out features and reducing performance for modest price cuts. It will be interesting to see how markets respond to the different approaches.