If you still haven’t been swept up by the electric hype, then perhaps a plug-in hybrid is the way to go. We recently got our hands on the BYD Shark 6, a bakkie that won’t properly go toe-to-toe with your mate’s Hilux, but it’ll still take a shot at it. BYD’s latest, though, might have better odds. That’d be the Shark 6 Performance, heading for SA.
BYD’s got us hooked
It’s a great deal more powerful than the regular Shark 6, thanks to a whole new engine paired with BYD’s PHEV technology. “The SHARK 6 has redefined what customers can expect from a bakkie, combining plug-in hybrid technology, strong performance and everyday practicality in one of South Africa’s most competitive vehicle segments,” said Steve Chang, MD of BYD South Africa. It’s also a whole lot more expensive. We’ll get to that.
First, that new engine. Inside the Shark 6 Performance resides a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, with both a front and rear electric motor to help it chug along. Pair ém up, and the Shark 6 Performance will spit out 350kW and 700Nm, supposedly allowing it to go from 0-100km/h in a matter of 5.5 seconds. Let’s see your Hilux do that.
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It’s rated to tow up to 3,500kg of weight behind it, making it a great getaway vehicle. You know what we mean. The star of the show is the 29.58kWh battery, supplying approximately 80km of electric-only driving. Once the petrol kicks in, BYD reckons you’ll get as far as 680km on a single 60l tank and a full charge. That’s… not bad
Where the older Shark 6 managed to scrape by with a five-figure price tag, the Shark 6 Performance isn’t so lucky. Buyers will need to fork over a pretty R1,150,000 before they can start making its bed in the garage. BYD reckons the bakkie “will be” available at all of its dealerships nationwide, though it failed to mention an exact date.
