BYD Shark plug-in hybrid ute lands in Australia, due here early next year

The BYD Shark plug-in hybrid pick-up from China has been spotted in a car park in Sydney just days after it was unveiled globally.

The photos were published this morning on the Facebook page for Car Spotters Australia.

The vehicle appears to be doing some kind of load testing, with weight in the tray.

Executives for BYD have told EFTM that Australia has played a major role in the development of the BYD Shark – and a number of test vehicles are already here – given the high proportion of ute sales locally.

Now one of the test cars – wrapped in camouflage to hide its appearance until the vehicle was formally unveiled 48 hours ago – has been spotted locally.

BYD Australia says it hopes to have the BYD Shark plug-in hybrid ute in local showrooms by late this year or early next year, pending any delays.

Pricing is yet to be announced.

Meanwhile, executives for the company have confirmed to EFTM that while BYD will build the Shark in a factory in Mexico for the US market, Australia-bound examples will be built in China.

Here’s a quick recap of the BYD Shark PHEV ute from a story we published earlier this week:

• Turbo 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine
• Two electric motors, one front and one rear
• The petrol engine charges a 30kWh battery pack that powers the electric motors
• BYD claims it does 0-100kmh in 5.7 seconds (though this is yet to be independently verified)
• Total driving range on a full charge and a full tank of fuel is claimed to be 850km
• The on-board battery pack can be used for power tools and camping accessories
• Towing capacity is rated at 2500kg (rather than 3500kg as per most rivals)
• Payload is rated at 835kg (versus up to 1000kg on some rivals)
• Instrument cluster is a 10.25-inch display screen
• Infotainment screen is 12.8-inches, with built-in Spotify and karaoke
• 360-degree camera, wireless smartphone charging available
• Remote access to vehicle via a smartphone to switch on the AC before you get in

To read our original story on the BYD Shark, click here.