The Chinese ute that's faster than a Ford Ranger Raptor and more powerful than V8 Ram 1500: BYD Shark hybrid dual-cab detailed at last for Australia

The BYD Shark has at last been revealed at an event in Mexico, with the Chinese plug-in hybrid ute to deliver more grunt than a V8-powered pickup, and a sharper zero to 100km/h time than a Ford Ranger Raptor.

Power outputs for the Shark, which will launch in Australia this year, have at last been confirmed, with the plug-in hybrid powerhouse to be fitted with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor at the rear axle.

Details on exactly how the powertrain operates are still being clarified, but the brand says "up to 80 percent" of journeys will be covered by the electric motor.

Combined, that means around 320kW of power and a total 650Nm, and BYD suggests a sprint to 100km/h will take just 5.7 seconds. For reference, testing of the V6-powered Ford Ranger Raptor suggests the model takes more like 6.0-6.5secs.

It also makes it more powerful than a Ram 1500, which draws 291kW of power and 556Nm of torque from its HEMI V8.

Also on board is a 30kWh 'Blade' battery pack, which the brand says will deliver an all-electric driving range of around 100kms on the NEDC cycle, while total driving range – as in total distance from the battery and the fuel tank – is more like 845kms.

The BYD Shark's front end The BYD Shark's front end

When charged at a DC fast charger, the Shark will go from 30 to 80 percent charged in 20 minutes.

If that's the good, there is also some bad, with the Shark not quite hitting the industry-standard targets for a dual-cab ute in Australia. The braked towing capacity, for example, is 2500kgs – a full tonne less than models like the Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max. Payload is around 835kgs, too.

The ladder-frame Shark measures in at 5457mm in length, 1971mm in width and 1925mm in height, and it rides on a 3260mm wheelbase. That makes it longer and wider than a Ford Ranger (5370mm and 1918mm), with BYD suggesting its first ute will be among the biggest in the class.

The tech-friendly cabin of the BYD Shark The tech-friendly cabin of the BYD Shark

While full specs are yet to be revealed, we do know the Shark is fitted with a 10.25-inch driver display, joined by a 12.8-inch central touchscreen that can be oriented in landscape or portrait.

“It's called Dual Motor Intelligence. And it's not a hybrid as you know them," BYD importer Luke Todd has told CarsGuide.

"For Australia, in my opinion, I'm so happy that we ended up bringing this one first and not the pure electric, which will come probably a year or so later."

2025 BYD Shark specifications

Length: 5457mm

Width: 1971mm

Height: 1925mm

Powertrain: 1.5-litre turbo-petrol with rear electric motor

Power: 320kW

Torque: 650Nm

Towing: 2500kg

Payload: 835kg