- A new 2.0-liter turbocharged powertrain upgrades the popular Shark 6’s capabilities.
- With more power and torque, the pickup truck can now tow 7,716 lbs (3,500 kg).
- A simpler cab chassis model of the Shark 6 has also been introduced in Australia.
Less than two months after its first preview, BYD has expanded its Shark 6 pickup range in Australia by launching two new models that should significantly broaden the plug-in hybrid’s appeal. The standard Shark 6 already threw down the gauntlet, and the new Dynamic Cab Chassis and Performance models may be the final nail in the coffin.
Like the existing Shark 6 Premium, which we tested last year, the new range-topping Shark 6 Performance uses a 29.58 kWh lithium-iron phosphate Blade battery. The key change is that rather than rocking a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, it now uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Total output now sits at 469 hp (350 kW) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm), up from 430 hp (321 kW) and 479 lb-ft (650 Nm), cutting the 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time from 5.7 seconds down to 5.5 seconds. Prices start at AU$62,900 ($45,000), or AU$5,000 ($3,600) more than the Premium.
Read: Jim Farley Said Chinese Pickups Couldn’t Tow Like A Ranger. BYD Just Proved Him Wrong
While more power is always welcome, it’s the improved towing that local buyers will really appreciate. Whereas the Shark 6 Premium is capped at 5,511 lbs (2,500 kg) towing, the Shark 6 Performance can tow 7,716 lbs (3,500 kg), which has become the standard for mid-sized pickups like it. The Performance also includes a 772 lbs (350 kg) tow ball download rating.
BYD Shark 6 Performance
Visually, there’s very little to differentiate the Shark 6 Performance from the Premium. The most obvious, and perhaps disappointing, change is found in the cabin. Whereas the Premium has a chunky shifter in the center console, complete with some nice toggle switches, the 2.0-liter model switches to a column shifter and some more basic controls on the console.
All versions of the Shark 6 use the same double-wishbone suspension setup at the front and rear, rather than the leaf springs common in this segment. The Shark 6 family will also become a little more capable off-road thanks to the introduction of a Crawl mode that continuously adjusts torque to prevent the wheels from slipping across rocks, climbs, and through deep ruts.
Joining the Performance in the Shark 6 range is the new Dynamic Cab-Chassis model, priced from AU$55,900 ($40,000). It uses the same 1.5-liter plug-in hybrid system as the Premium but has a more basic bed, which should boost its appeal among tradesmen. Currently, the braked towing capacity of this version is capped at 5,511 lbs (2,500 kg), but a 2.0-liter model will launch later this year, boosting this rating to 7,716 lbs (3,500 kg).
BYD Shark 6 Dynamic Cab-Chassis
