BYD is preparing to launch a lightly refreshed 2026 version of the Yuan Plus in the Chinese domestic market — and while the exterior changes are subtle, the technical upgrades under the skin are anything but small. The new model is expected to receive a significantly more powerful electric drivetrain, delivering an additional 107 horsepower over the current version, and will likely adopt the same electric drive system used in the BYD Seal sedan. This strongly suggests that the 2026 Yuan Plus may move to an 800-volt high-voltage architecture, enabling much faster and more efficient DC fast charging.
The Yuan Plus first debuted on February 19, 2022, and was subsequently exported worldwide under the name “Atto 3.” It is now sold in more than 110 countries, with cumulative global sales exceeding one million units. However, as competition in the compact electric SUV segment has intensified, the Yuan Plus has begun to fall behind some rivals in terms of power output and charging speed.
BYD addressed part of this issue earlier this year, when it released a minor update focused primarily on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). That revision improved intelligent driving features but left the powertrain unchanged, meaning the core concerns around performance and charging efficiency remained. The 2026 update, by contrast, shifts the focus decisively to the drivetrain, aiming to improve both performance and energy replenishment.
Familiar Design with Subtle Updates
According to homologation images filed with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the new Yuan Plus retains the overall styling of the current model. It continues to feature the large trapezoidal lower intake, darkened headlamp housings, and the signature blacked-out D-pillar treatment that visually separates the roofline.
The most visible change is the introduction of newly designed 18-inch alloy wheels. Overall dimensions remain unchanged, with a length of 4,455 mm, a width of 1,875 mm, a height of 1,615 mm, and a wheelbase of 2,720 mm — placing it squarely within the compact SUV segment.
One important change, however, lies in the vehicle’s weight. The new version has a listed curb weight of 1,880 kg and a gross vehicle weight of 2,410 kg, a noticeable increase compared to the current model’s 1,625–1,690 kg curb weight range. This weight gain strongly suggests the installation of a larger battery pack and more robust electrical hardware.
More Power, New Motor, and a Likely 800V Platform
Although BYD has not yet published official battery specifications, regulatory filings confirm that the 2026 Yuan Plus will use a battery pack supplied by FinDreams, BYD’s battery subsidiary. It will drive a permanent magnet synchronous motor designated TZ200XYC, producing a maximum output of 230 kW (308 horsepower), which represents a gain of 107 horsepower over the current model.
This same electric motor is already used in the Denza N7 SUV and the BYD Seal electric sedan — both of which are built on BYD’s 800-volt high-voltage platform. That shared hardware strongly points to the Yuan Plus adopting the same architecture.
If that proves true, the charging performance will see a dramatic improvement. The 800V platform allows significantly higher charging power and lower thermal losses, and the new Yuan Plus is expected to support DC fast charging at up to 150 kW — nearly double the charging power of the existing version. This would translate into much shorter charging times and a more convenient long-distance driving experience.
A Strategic Upgrade for a More Competitive Market
At this stage, BYD has not released further technical or launch details. However, based on the filing timeline and media reports, the 2026 Yuan Plus is expected to debut in China later this year. The purpose of this update is clear: to restore the model’s competitiveness in a rapidly evolving compact electric SUV market where buyers increasingly expect strong performance, fast charging, and advanced electrical architectures as standard.
By keeping the proven design and dimensions while substantially upgrading the drivetrain and charging system, BYD appears to be aiming for a balanced approach — preserving what made the Yuan Plus globally successful, while addressing the areas where it had begun to lag behind newer competitors.
If the final production model delivers on the expected 800V architecture and 230 kW output, the 2026 Yuan Plus will represent one of the most meaningful mid-cycle upgrades in the model’s history, and a clear signal of BYD’s intention to keep its mainstream electric offerings technologically current as the EV market continues to mature.
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