Shark Attack – BYD names its ute

There’s another Chinese firm getting in on the double-cab ute act, BYD confirming that its first pick-up truck will be called Shark. This is being unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show and will go on public show in June at Fieldays.

Specifically, Jun 12 is when BYD will first show off its new electrified ute. Not only will the new load lugger be on show but BYD promises two other vehicles at its stand. One is BYD’s first medium-sized SUV, the Sea Lion 6. This PHEV is a rival for the likes of Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV. The other, according to brand manager for BYD New Zealand, Warren Willmot, is a mystery vehicle. Hazarding a guess, it might well be the baby BYD EV, known as the Seagull.

Anyhow, the PHEV ute will be available for preorder at Fieldays, with a $300 refundable reservation. A firm deposit will be required a month before delivery. Regarding the new plug-in hybrid powertrain, it is known as DMO (dual-mode off-road) and is a series/parallel type hybrid. That means the engine and the motors (a pair of them) can power the car alone or together. Total system power is circa 500hp/900Nm and range is a suggested 900-1000km. Performance should set a new standard in the class, with a suggested sprint time beginning with a five. 

The PHEV can self charge or be plugged in and, with an 18.3kWh Blade battery pack, EV range is around 80-100km. That’s roughly double the figure for the Ranger PHEV. A vehicle-to-load facility is standard, as is AWD. At this stage, a pure electric drivetrain for the ute is not envisaged for our market, at least not in the near future.

Camouflaged images of the Shark confirm a double-cab body style will make the start line, and the styling is typically tough with bluff sides. It is at least as large as Ranger and Hilux in key dimensions.

Styling features include wrap-around lights and an LED light strip connecting the DRLs up front, not dissimilar to some Ford off-road product.  

Expect the interior to feature a similar 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen to that found in other BYD product. It can rotate into either portrait or landscape positions.

The Shark goes into production this year and should be on sale in Q4. However, GWM will likely beat BYD, Toyota and Ford to the electrified ute punch with its hybrid Cannon Alpha, due here midyear.

To date, only LDV has an electric ute on sale, the T60 and that’s rear drive with a 1500kg braked tow capacity. Its motor is good for 130/310Nm and range from its 89kWh battery pack is around 325km. While not exactly overburdened with firepower, it is set to be replaced with a second-generation model. That will have a similar drivetrain to the 180kW/350Nm Mifa MPV with its 90kWh battery and 430km of range.