BYD HAS ANNOUNCED A significant expansion of its Shark 6 range, introducing a trade-ready Shark 6 Dynamic Cab-Chassis and a new range-topping Shark 6 Performance pickup to sit alongside the award-winning Shark 6 Premium pickup.
The expanded line-up is designed to meet the needs of trade, fleet and Aussie families; offering superior Dual Mode (DM) Super Hybrid performance, improved all-wheel drive capability and refined on-road comfort.
The Shark 6 Performance, in particular, with more power and 3500kg towing capacity, is for customers with serious adventure in mind.
BYD Australia Chief Operating Officer Stephen Collins said the expansion of the Shark 6 lineup will allow more Australians to enjoy ownership of a Dual Mode (DM) Super Hybrid new energy vehicle that’s right for a range of requirements.
“The BYD Shark 6 has redefined what Australians can expect from a modern ute,” Mr Collins said.
“By expanding to three distinct models, we’re giving customers more choice without compromise – whether it’s a Super Hybrid that is a capable workhorse, a family all-rounder, or made for serious towing and performance.”
The Shark 6 Dynamic Cab-Chassis is now officially on sale, with those keen on the Shark 6 Performance able to express their interest on the BYD Australia website ahead of the vehicle’s May arrival.
For trade users, a heavy-duty alloy tray is available as an option. Designed in partnership and manufactured by Ironman 4×4, it features eight integrated tie-down points and two lockable storage boxes, with an optional trundle tray. It will be available through BYD dealerships.
The Shark 6 Dynamic Cab-Chassis is priced from $55,900 plus on-road costs. Pricing for the tray is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks. The more powerful and more capable Shark 6 Performance is priced from $62,900 plus on road costs.
PERFORMANCE
All Shark 6 variants feature BYD’s acclaimed Dual Mode Off-Road (DMO) AWD architecture, with the turbocharged petrol engines integrated with powerful front and rear electric motors to create an efficient yet punchy Super Hybrid powertrain.
The electric motors receive their charge from BYD’s advanced 29.58kW/h lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade Battery, which is more stable and less prone to thermal runaway than nickel-based alternatives.
The 1.5-litre turbo DM Super Hybrid powering the Shark 6 Dynamic Cab-Chassis and current Shark 6 Premium develops 321kW and 650Nm, enabling both vehicles to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds.
The new 2.0-litre turbo DM Super Hybrid in the Shark 6 Performance boosts total system power and torque to 350kW and 700Nm respectively – enough mumbo for a 5.5 second sprint time, while delivering 1.3L/100kms when the vehicle’s SOC (state of charge) is less than 25 per cent, according to the WLTP combined test cycle.
The expanded range offers more towing and payload solutions for Australian ute buyers. The Shark 6 Performance introduces up to 3500kg braked towing, while Shark 6 Dynamic and Shark 6 Premium support up to 2500kg braked towing.
Underpinning on- and off-road confidence, all Shark 6 variants feature double-wishbone independent suspension front and rear – prioritising ride comfort and handling without sacrificing load capability.
All Shark 6s offer the best of both worlds with the type of driving typically undertaken by most Australians – zero C02 tailpipe emission EV driving for shorter daily commutes, and the luxury of efficient DM Super Hybrid performance for longer drives.
The chassis integrates Cell-to-Chassis (CTC) Blade Battery technology for improved torsional stiffness, consistent dynamics and enhanced protection while reducing NVH.
THREE INTELLIGENT DRIVING MODES
DM Super Hybrid technology provides Shark 6 customers with three intelligent driving modes.
- EV Pure Electric Mode: the petrol engine is switched off and the Shark 6 is driven by its electric motors from the stored battery power. This is perfect in stop-start traffic and low to medium urban speeds, offering silent and smooth driving and instant response with zero fuel consumption.
- HEV Series Mode: the petrol engine does not drive the wheels. Instead, it acts like a portable power station, generating power for the electric motors that in turn drive the wheels, with the ICE also able to recharge the battery at the same time. This is ideal at medium road speeds, when smoothness, quietness and instant response is desired.
- HEV Parallel Mode: The motors and the petrol engine work together in harmony to drive the wheels at the same time. The combined output assists while towing, or sustaining highway speeds where greater energy loss is experienced running in purely electric mode. Intelligent integration and software management also allows the ICE to continue charging the battery at the same time.
From the driver’s perspective, it’s seamless. No manual switching required as the intelligent DM Super Hybrid goes about its business.
OFF-ROAD CAPABILITY
A new ‘Crawl Mode’ debuts on the Shark 6 Performance, vastly improving the vehicle’s off-road credentials beyond the existing ‘Mountain Mode’ which manages traction and braking performance across moderate slopes and uneven terrain.
Crawl Mode is designed for the tough stuff – rocks, steep climbs, deep ruts. When activated, Crawl Mode limits the Shark 6 to a maximum of 20km/h and continuously adjusts torque to keep the wheels moving without slipping.
Crawl Mode is standard on the Shark 6 Performance from launch, and will be offered to existing Shark 6 Premium and Shark 6 Dynamic customers via an over-the-air (OTA) update later in the year.
WORKSITE TO CAMPSITE
With 6.6kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability and multiple 230V outlets (one in-cabin, three in the tub) plus a V2L adaptor adding two more sockets, Shark 6 is ready to power tools, appliances and camping gear on the go.
SAFETY & TECHNOLOGY
The Shark 6 has a full suite of Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS)4 designed to protect occupants and other road users.
ADAS provides 360 degrees of intelligent active safety features, along with the standard 360-degree camera to help the driver assess the vehicle’s immediate surroundings.
Wireless5 Apple CarPlay6 and Android7 Auto via a 12.8-inch (Shark 6 Dynamic Cab-Chassis) or larger 15.6-inch touchscreen (Shark 6 Premium and Shark 6 Performance) bring comprehensive infotainment options to life at the touch of a finger, with the 10.25-inch LCD instrument screen providing clear display of road speed and other important information.
All Shark 6 variants have the maximum five-star ANCAP crash safety rating.
BYD SHARK 6 pricing excluding on-road costs:
| SHARK 6 | PRICE |
| SHARK 6 DYNAMIC CAB-CHASSIS | $55,900 |
| SHARK 6 PREMIUM | $57,900 |
| SHARK 6 PERFORMANCE | $62,900 |
Heavy-duty alloy-tray pricing TBC