Nor'West News: May 04, 2023

12
Thursday May 4 2023
Incorporating
best motorbuys
www.drivesouth.co.nz
Start dreaming of driving electric
BUILD YOUR Dreams –
abbreviated to BYD, that’s the
name for one of the newest
entrants into New Zealand’s
electric vehicle market.
More specifically, the BYD
Atto3 is the key model here
for the all-electric Chinese car
building company, and it’s a
tidy, stylish sport utility vehicle
that already I’m seeing in good
numbers on our roads. If you are
wondering where Atto comes
from, it is inspired by the Attosecond
– the smallest time scale
unit in physics – and according
to BYD it represents speed, energy
and dynamics.
The Atto3 lands here in two
model variants distinguished by
their battery size. The extended
range vehicle incorporates the
larger of the lithium-ion battery
capacities – a 60kWh unit –
giving a 420km range and the
standard battery unit – 50kWh
– providing a range of 345km.
Both models are driven by a
single motor powering the front
wheels, there is 150kW of power
on tap with 310Nm of torque
in both, offering a standstill to
100km/h time of 7.3sec.
Prices start at $55,490 for the
standard model, the extended
range variant adds $4500. Those
prices both easily qualify for the
full New Zealand Government
Clean Car Programme rebate of
$8625.
Specification items are numerous,
I can report that for
its price there’s a good level of
fitment. The evaluation car was
the range-topper, but most of
what is in that is also included
in the entry-level model, it’s
just the battery capacity that is
different and the colour choices
vary from level to level. For
those of you who like to see the
stars when you’re travelling at
night, the Atto3 gets a full length
panoramic roof, along with
heated and electric seats, keyless
entry and ignition, and electric
tailgate, just to mention a few of
the major items. When you take
into account the value you get for
the money, it’s no wonder BYD
is showing much appeal in this
country.
The interior is very space age.
The design and trim elements are
styled with ideas that I’ve never
seen before in any car. I particularly
like the guitar strings that
are fitted to the front doors, you
can play music to the beat of the
radio while sitting at the everincreasing
traffic light queues.
I travelled 200km in the evaluation
vehicle, when I picked it
up there was 86 per cent charge
on the battery capacity display
offering a distance to empty of
400km. It panned out so that
plugging in for several hours
each night meant I could keep
the batteries well within a range
that minimised anxiety, although
at a short 4m, the domestic
cable is only just long enough
to reach my garage plug.
Of course, fast charging at a
designated port will boost the
batteries from 20 to 80 per cent
in around 30min.
A good friend of mine who
lives in Australia has had a
hefty deposit on an Atto3 for six
months and there’s still no sign
of his car arriving, but every
market is different and I’d like to
think that any prospective buyer
here will be satisfied with their
buying experience.
• Price – BYD Atto3,
$59,990
• Dimensions – Length,
4455mm; width,
1875mm; height,
1615mm
• Configuration – Electrosynchronous
motor,
front-wheel-drive,
150kW, 310Nm, onespeed
automatic
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 7.3sec
A Christchurch car dealer is offering a new and
innovative way to trade-in your old car and help those
in need at the same time.
Tim Koller Motor Company (TKMC) is offering car
owners the opportunity to donate their old vehicles
with the proceeds going to World Vision New Zealand.
Mr Koller says the initiative saves car owners the
arduous process of selling a second-hand vehicle and
means they help people living in the world’s toughest
places.
“We know that most people hate the process of selling
a car. It’s a hassle, it’s stressful and it’s hard work! This
initiative means people avoid the pain of trying to find
a private buyer or negotiate a trade-in.
“Now, they can simply donate their car and the sale
proceeds will be used to help World Vision deliver
emergency food to hungry children; clean water and
sanitation to improve the health of entire communities;
and provide safe spaces for children fleeing from
violence and conflict. It’s a win-win!”, Mr Koller says.
Tim Koller Motor Company (TKMC)
380 Ferry Road, Woolston, Christchurch
He says he came up with the idea when dealing with
an elderly client who was disappointed at the trade-in
price offered for her old car. She said she’d rather “give
it away”.
“That got me thinking,” Mr Koller says. “What if there
was a way we could avoid the disappointment of a
trade-in offer, which is often a lot less than people
are expecting, but still take the car and leave people
feeling good as well. The car donation project is the
answer,” he says.
The proceeds from all donated cars will go to World
Vision New Zealand. World Vision New Zealand
International Partnership Director, TJ Grant, says
partners like Mr Koller are invaluable.
“World Vision is working with some of the most
vulnerable children and families in the world and we
see desperate need on a daily basis – children who
are starving; families who are unwell because they
have no clean water to drink; girls who are denied the
To find out more visit tkmc.co.nz
or call Tim Koller: 03 390 1717
right to go to school; and children who are forced into
work. Donations from compassionate Kiwis can help
these children to thrive and live life in all its fullness,”
he says.
Mr Koller says World Vision pursues the highest
standards of stewardship and accountability with
84.6 cents in the dollar going directly to international
programming.
“I love World Vision’s approach of giving people a
hand up, not a hand out. They help to empower people
out of poverty and build lasting change,” he says.
If you have any questions about World Vision, please
call 0800 800 776 to speak to our Supporter Care team
or visit www.worldvision.org.nz
Above: Generously Donated - 2019 Suzuki Swift, SRZ,
Just 3,343km
Be Part of Something Bigger!
You can make a life-saving
difference.