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Electric
2024 BYD Shark 6 ute: price, specs, release date in Australia
Andrea Matthews
September 26, 2024
Fast-growing Chinese brand BYD has announced the Shark 6 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute will launch in Australia in October in a 4x4 ute segment dominated by the best-selling Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.
Pipping the upcoming 2025 Ford Ranger PHEV to sale, the BYD Shark 6 will be the first plug-in hybrid ute to launch in Australia. While official specs will be unveiled closer to launch, the BYD Shark 6 is expected to offer an electric only range of around 80km from its 29.58Wh battery.
The BYD Shark 6 is a significant addition to the Chinese brand's Ocean Series, boasting DM-O (dual-mode off-road) technology for both fuel efficiency and travel off the beaten track with a total mileage of around 800km from the hybrid system.
Following six months of testing on Australian roads, BYD and its distributor EVDirect say the Shark 6 ute is ready to meet the demands of demanding ute buyers, and help the brand compete against Australia's best-selling cars: Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.
The BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute has been tested for Australian conditions.
How much will the BYD Shark 6 cost in Australia?
Pricing is yet to be confirmed for the BYD Shark 6 but it is anticipated to launch with a Premium model priced at around $60,000, with a more affordable variant to arrive in 2025.
That pricing positions the BYD Shark 6 towards the top end of the Mitsubishi Triton range and around the same price as the Ford Ranger XLT, but it's worth noting that the BYD Shark Ute PHEV has a reduced towing capacity of 2500kg compared to the aforementioned utes.
Specifications are also not yet available but initial media images show a BYD Shark 6 cabin with a large colour touchscreen as seen in the BYD Sealion 6 and BYD Seal, and a neatly trimmed upholstery in synthetic leather with a light coloured headliner. A handy step features at the tailgate to allow easy access to the tray bed, while technology inclusions allow the BYD Shark 6 to be unlocked with a tap of the phone on the wing mirror.
When does the BYD Shark 6 go on sale in Australia?
BYD and EVDirect say that orders for the Shark 6 will open on October 29 via the brand's Australian website and dealership network.
The BYD Shark 6 ute features a step in the tailgate.
What is the range of the new BYD Shark 6 PHEV Ute?
The BYD Shark 6 is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine working in conjunction with an electric motor on each axle - 170kW/310Nm on the front axle and 150kW/340Nm on the rear axle. This configuration delivers a combined power output of 320kW/650Nm and a total combined range of approximately 800km from the 29.58kWh battery and on board fuel tank.
It is based on the plug-in hybrid system (DM-i) used in the BYD Sealion 6 PHEV medium SUV which launched earlier this year. The BYD hybrid system operates in electric first mode, with the petrol engine effectively operating as a generator to put charge through the battery. In the BYD Sealion 6, that sees the system achieve an impressive 1.1L/100km consumption when operating at optimum cycle.
In 2023 BYD sold more new energy vehicles (EVs and Hybrids), worldwide than Tesla. BYD vehicles are sold in Australia via EVDirect which is building a network of dealerships to support the company's sales, which have grown by 67 per cent so far in 2024 according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.
The BYD Shark 6 offers work and play opportunities for those wanting an electric ute.
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