Shark enters the fray

BYD’s Shark has had its global reveal ahead of its forthcoming appearance in New Zealand at Fieldays.

The plug-in hybrid utility has a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which creates up to 170kW of power and 310Nm of torque. 

It is paired with an electric motor in each axle. When their powers combine, BYD says output exceeds 316kW. 

There’s up to 100km of electric range available thanks to its 30kWh Blade battery pack. This can be recharged via DC and there’s vehicle-to-load functionality.

The Shark can make the 0-100kph dash in 5.7 seconds in hybrid mode, which is about as quick as Ford’s V6TT-powered Ranger Raptor. Most four-cylinder diesel utes come in at around 10 seconds. 

BYD says the PHEV powertrain’s consumption figures are 7.5l/100km in hybrid mode with overall consumption of 1.5l/100km during lab testing with a full battery. The real-world number is likely to be closer to 7.5.

A rear electric motor provides all-wheel drive, while the petrol engine is only connected to the front axle. Terrain modes for the traction control system include snow, mud and sand. 

The Shark’s ground clearance is stated at 282mm and it has a towing capacity of 2,500kg. The payload is given as 835kg, the tray volume at 1,450 litres. It’s 5,457mm long, 1,971mm wide and 1,925mm tall, with all those measurements exceeding the Ranger’s. It has a wheelbase of 3,260mm. 

The cabin has BYD’s rotating 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen with CarPlay and Android Auto. Built-in apps including Spotify and sat nav. There’s also a wireless phone charger, 360-degree surround view camera and head-up display. A battery electric variant of the Shark is expected in 2025.