Shark snaps top safety rating
BYD’s Shark 6 has achieved a five-star ANCAP safety rating after becoming the first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute to undergo local testing.
The rating was awarded after the Shark 6 scored 85 per cent for adult occupant protection, 87 per cent for child occupant protection, 74 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 86 per cent for safety assist.
ANCAP says the ute has an extensive range of standard safety features including dual frontal airbags, and side chest and side head-protecting airbags.
It also boasts a centre airbag designed to protect the front-seat occupants in side-impact crashes.
In the frontal offset test, the passenger cabin remained stable, with all key body regions recording a ranking of good protection, except for the driver’s chest, which was adequate.
In the full-width frontal test, protection for the driver’s neck and chest was adequate, while rear passenger chest protection was marginal and neck protection adequate.
Other critical body regions for the driver and rear passenger were good.
However, ANCAP notes that due to its size, weight and front-end design, the vehicle poses a higher risk to occupants of oncoming vehicles, resulting in the full eight-point penalty being applied in the frontal offset test.
When it came to child occupant protection, protection for 10-year-old and six-year-old dummies was good and the vehicle earned maximum points.
The Shark 6 is also fitted with a child presence detection system for all three rear seating positions, with the vehicle able to automatically intervene by activating the air-conditioning to cool down the cabin if an unattended child is detected.
However, the alert sensitivity of this system does not meet ANCAP’s functional requirements and the ute scored zero points for this area of assessment.
The Shark 6 features an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system designed to detect and respond to vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
The system demonstrated good performance in ANCAP’s AEB pedestrian scenarios, though it showed marginal performance in reverse tests.
In situations involving cyclists, the system successfully avoided or mitigated collisions at all test speeds, including during turning manoeuvres.
Carla Hoorweg, ANCAP chief executive officer, says: “With five of BYD’s current local models having now earned top ANCAP safety ratings, it's evident that new manufacturers are prioritising safety as they enter the market to align with consumer demands.
“Following the recently rated GWM Cannon Alpha hybrid ute, we expect to see an increase in electrified options in the utility space. And so far, they’re meeting the mark.”
