BYD, the Chinese auto giant, has revealed its first-ever pick-up truck, the Shark. The Shark is part of BYD’s ‘Ocean Series’ line-up of cars and SUVs, which also includes the Seal sedan, the Seal U SUV, and the Dolphin hatchback.
The Shark sports a conventional double-cab pick-up truck design, with bold styling cues such as a prominent BYD emblem upfront. Its distinctive features include C-shaped LED daytime running lights (DRLs) that seamlessly connect with a light bar. The Shark’s front skid plate and the giant “BYD” text on the tailgate further enhance the resilient look of the pickup.
The Shark comes with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Power is derived from a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a pair of electric motors. According to BYD, the Shark produces a combined 430 hp. The company claims that the Shark pickup truck can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 5.7 seconds. It can drive 100 km on electricity alone, and a charge of 30-80% takes around 20 minutes.
The Shark touts impressive range figures for a plug-in-hybrid pickup. It’s also said to be capable of going more than 520 miles with a full tank of gas and a fully charged battery.
While the Shark won’t be sold in the United States, it will be sold south of the border in Mexico, where BYD plans to build a new production facility in the coming months. This move could potentially change the dynamics of the pick-up truck market in the region.
In conclusion, the unveiling of the BYD Shark marks a significant milestone in the evolution of pick-up trucks, bringing hybrid technology to the forefront. It remains to be seen how this new entrant will fare against established players like the Toyota Hilux.
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