BYD Shark 6 (2025) Price & Specs
The BYD Shark 6 has finally arrived in South Africa. Here’s what this 321 kW plug-in hybrid bakkie – launching as Mzansi’s most powerful double cab – will cost you…
The BYD Shark 6 has officially launched in South Africa, arriving not only as Mzansi’s very first plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) bakkie but also the local market’s most powerful and fastest-accelerating double cab.
So, what does the Chinese new-energy vehicle automaker’s potent pick-up cost in SA? Well, according to our information, the BYD Shark is priced at R959 900, with just a single “Premium” derivative on the menu (for now, at least).
That means the Shark 6 undercuts models such as the Volkswagen Amarok 2.0BiTDI Style 4Motion (R966 500), Ford Ranger 2.0 BiTurbo Wildtrak 4×4 (R983 000), Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 4×4 GR-Sport (R999 000) and GWM P500 2.0T HEV Ultra Luxury 4×4 (R999 900), not to mention the 20 double-cab bakkie derivatives priced on the far side of R1-million.
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None, of course, is as powerful (on paper, at least) as the Shark 6. Thanks to a peak system figure as high as 321 kW, this new double-cab contender grabs the title of South Africa’s most powerful bakkie from the 292 kW Ford Ranger Raptor.
The powertrain comprises a turbocharged 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine combined with a plug-in hybrid system featuring a 29.6 kWh battery pack and an electric motor on each axle. Peak system outputs stand at 321 kW and 650 Nm (170 kW and 310 Nm up front, and 150 kW and 340 Nm at the rear), while 3 terrain modes are on offer, along with a so-called “virtual” differential lock.
For the most part, the petrol engine acts as a generator (to top up the battery) and is only capable of directly driving the front wheels at speeds higher than 70 kph. BYD claims the Shark can complete the 0-100 kph sprint in just 5.7 seconds, before topping out at 160 kph. Again, that’s the quickest claimed sprint time of any bakkie on the local market (though the imminent fully electric Riddara RD6 looks poised to steal that title with a time of only 4.5 seconds).
According to the Chinese firm, the lithium-iron phosphate battery pack offers an all-electric WLTP range of up to 85 km (down from the NEDC figure of 100 km), which pushes the combined range to a claimed 760 km. BYD says the battery’s state of charge will move from 30 to 80% in approximately 20 minutes when using a 55 kW DC fast charger.
The Shark 6 employs a ladder-frame chassis and is the Chinese brand’s very first attempt at a bakkie. It features independent suspension at each corner (rather than traditional leaf springs at the rear), while the battery pack is neatly integrated into the platform.
From what we understand, the 5-seater plug-in bakkie has a payload of 835 kg (with the load bed measuring 1 520 mm by 1 500 mm by 517 mm), a braked towing capacity of 2 500 kg and an unladen ground clearance of 230 mm. The listed approach, departure and breakover angles are 31, 19.3 and 30 degrees, respectively.
Measuring 5 457 mm from nose to tail, the BYD Shark – which stands 1 971 mm wide and 1 925 mm tall – is a considerable 107 mm longer than a Ranger double cab, while featuring a 10 mm shorter wheelbase (at 3 260 mm) than that of the Blue Oval brand’s bakkie. Inside, you’ll find a 12.8-inch multimedia rotating screen and a 10.25-inch LCD instrument panel, along with a 12-inch head-up display and wireless smartphone charging.
So, what other kit does the Premium grade include? Well, the SA-spec Shark 6 Premium rides on 18-inch alloy wheels (wrapped in 265/65 R18 Continental tyres) and ships with 7 airbags. Other standard features include a 360-degree camera system, parking sensors (front and rear), a head-up display, adaptive cruise control and a raft of driver-assistance functions.
Aluminium roof rails also ship standard, along with items like keyless entry (and start), rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, faux leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats (with heating and ventilation), a 12-speaker “Dynaudio” sound system, LED headlamps and sequential rear indicators.
While the BYD Shark 6 is the only plug-in bakkie on the market right now, the GWM P500 PHEV is expected to arrive in South Africa later in 2025, while it’s surely only a matter of time before the Ford Ranger PHEV (which is built exclusively in Mzansi) hits the local market, too…
How much does the BYD Shark 6 cost in South Africa?
BYD Shark 6 Premium – R959 900
The price above likely includes BYD Auto SA’s 5-year/100 000 km warranty and a maintenance plan with the same parameters.
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