BYD Shark 6 priced from $57,900 plus on-roads, undercutting Hilux and Ranger

The radical BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute is open for orders and will be priced from $57,900 plus on-road costs.

Pricing for the hotly-anticipated PHEV was revealed at an outback bash near Broken Hill.

As a limited offer BYD is also throwing in a $500 credit for accessories, which include bullbars, a roller tonneau cover, canopy and sports bar.

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The price undercuts similarly-equipped utes from big names such as the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger.

And the Shark 6 comes with a long list of equipment in its Premium trim level, the only model on offer for now.

Standard gear includes dual-zone ventilation, fake leather trim, heated and ventilated front seats, electrically adjustable front seats and a head-up display.

There’s also a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a class-leasing 15.6-inch digital instrument cluster.

The CEO of Australian importer EV Direct, David Smitherman, said enquiry had been significantly higher than expected.

“Over 20,000 people have expressed an interest in the Shark 6,” he said at the pricing announcement, which was made on the outskirts of Broken Hill in western NSW.

“In my 25 years in the car industry I’ve never seen interest like this in a new vehicle.”

Key to that interest is the plug-in hybrid electric system (PHEV).

It uses two electric motors and a 1.5-litre petrol engine to make 321kW, about double the power of most diesel-powered utes.

There’s also 650Nm of torque, which also out muscles all diesel rivals.

A 29.58kWh battery provides about 80km of electric-only range, allowing the Shark 6 to be driven as an electric vehicle for most daily drives.

The petrol engine can also add power above about 70km/h but is predominantly used as a generator to extend the driving range to about 800km (there’s a 60-litre fuel tank). 

Smitherman says the potential to run on electric and charge the car externally has turbocharged fleet interest in the Shark 6.

”I’m expecting fleet orders from tonight,” he said, adding that the company can track online orders in real time.

Senior BYD executives from Australia and China attended the remote outback launch event for what is arguably the fledgling brand’s most important model launch.

Utes account for about 20 percent of vehicle sales in Australia.

Entertainment for the outback bash was provided by Australian singer Daryl Braithwaite.

It was live streamed to six BYD dealerships around the country: Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

BYD says 2000 Shark 6s will arrive on the first boatload, which are due to be delivered to customers by early 2025 (there’s a chance some could hit the road late in 2024).

Three colours will initially be offered: white, blue and black. The bolder orange hue won’t initially be available in Australia.

BYD Shark 6 price and equipment
Price: From $57,900
Basics: PHEV, 5 seats, 4 doors, ute, AWD
Range: About 80km (EV only), about 800km (electric and petrol)
Battery capacity: 29.58kWh
Battery warranty: 8 years/160,000km
Energy consumption: TBA (EV consumption), 7.9L/100km fuel use in hybrid mode
Motors: 1 front and 1 rear; 321kW/650Nm (combined outputs)
AC charging: 7kW, Type 2 plug
DC charging: 55kW, CCS combo plug
0-100km/h: 5.7 seconds