BYD has significantly expanded the Shark 6 range, introducing new Performance and Cab Chassis variants while responding directly to customer feedback around towing, off-road capability and commercial applications.
Speaking at the launch of the updated range, Sajid Hasan, Chief Product Officer for BYD and Denza Australia and New Zealand, said the latest updates represent far more than simply adding a new variant to the line-up.
“We didn’t just increase the towing capacity, there were a lot of other things that we did to improve the product, and also to expand the reach and the customers that we could appeal to with our Cab Chassis variant,” Hasan said.
Three-Variant Line-Up
The expanded Shark 6 range now consists of:
- Shark 6 Dynamic Cab Chassis from $55,900
- Shark 6 Premium from $57,900
- Shark 6 Performance from $60,900
All models utilise BYD’s DMO (Dual Mode Off-Road) plug-in hybrid platform and 30kWh Blade Battery technology. The new Performance variant introduces a larger 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and increased towing capability, while the Dynamic Cab Chassis opens the Shark platform to trade and fleet applications.
Understanding the DMO Platform
Hasan spent considerable time explaining BYD’s DMO architecture, which differs significantly from many traditional hybrid systems.
“The Shark Six and the DMO platform actually are more like EREVs, but also can directly drive the front wheels through the engine,” Hasan explained.
“We say that it’s an electric-first plug-in hybrid.”
Unlike conventional hybrids that rely heavily on the petrol engine, the Shark’s electric motors remain engaged at all times, with the engine often acting as a generator to produce electricity.
“The petrol will run out before the battery does. That’s just how the vehicle is designed,” Hasan said.
Towing Capacity Increases to 3.5 Tonnes
One of the most significant changes is the increase in towing capacity from 2.5 tonnes to 3.5 tonnes for the new Performance variant.
Hasan said BYD undertook extensive local testing before approving the upgrade.
“We wanted to make sure that the experience was going to be good for the customer,” he said.
“We didn’t just rewrite the paperwork and say let’s make this a 3.5-tonne towing vehicle.”
To support the increased towing capacity, the Performance model receives a larger 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a higher-capacity generator.
“We added a larger generator, and the two-litre with its larger displacement is less stressed than the 1.5 turbo,” Hasan said. “The larger generator can easily top up the battery and maintain the state of charge target level even when towing.”
BYD’s testing also showed improved towing fuel economy compared with the existing Premium model.
“If you tow a 2.5-ton load with our Performance and you towed the same thing with the Premium, you actually get better fuel economy with the two-litre,” Hasan said.
More Power and Faster Acceleration
The Performance variant also becomes the most powerful Shark yet.
A stronger 200kW front motor combines with a 150kW rear motor and 2.0-litre petrol engine to deliver a combined system output of 350kW and 700Nm.
“The Shark Six is the fastest accelerating ute in Australia,” Hasan said. “Five-point-five seconds now with our Performance version.”
New Towing Technology
The updated Shark introduces several towing-specific software features designed to improve usability and towing performance.
These include trailer mode selections that optimise vehicle performance according to load, along with an automated trailer-light checking system.
“If you’ve ever had to tow, and you’re by yourself, it’s basically impossible to check your trailer lights,” Hasan said. “By tapping that toggle, it actually plays the sequence and checks the brake lights and indicators.”
Improved Off-Road Capability
Customer feedback from the original Shark launch has also driven improvements to the off-road systems.
A new Crawl Mode has been developed through local engineering input and will be available across the Shark range through an over-the-air software update.
“When we launched this car, the traction control system would tend to bog down on low-speed, high-angle surfaces,” Hasan said. “We’ve used that feedback from the launch to improve our off-road systems.”
The Crawl Mode controls wheel speed and torque delivery to maximise traction during low-speed off-road driving.
“This was also an OTA that will roll out to every other Shark that we’ve already sold as well.”
Purpose-Built Cab Chassis for Fleet Buyers
The new Dynamic Cab Chassis is expected to broaden the Shark’s appeal among commercial and fleet customers.
Developed in partnership with Ironman 4×4, the genuine aluminium tray has been engineered specifically for the Shark platform.
“We’ve actually made our Dynamic Cab Chassis variant the dynamic benchmark for our range,” Hasan said. “The tray adds rigidity, so it’s actually a more engaging drive.”
The tray also retains key Shark features including V2L power outlets, ADAS functionality and integrated storage solutions.
Technology Upgrades
The Premium and Performance variants gain BYD’s latest Google-based connected services platform, expanding the infotainment ecosystem beyond Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The BYD smartphone app has also been enhanced, offering remote monitoring, charging controls, vehicle pre-conditioning and NFC digital key functionality.
“We’re the only vehicle in this segment that offers NFC card locking and unlocking,” Hasan said.
Five-Star Safety Maintained
Importantly for fleet buyers, Hasan confirmed the five-star ANCAP safety rating achieved by the original Shark 6 will apply to both the Cab Chassis and Performance variants.
“The five-star ANCAP rating for the Shark Six will also be applied to the Cab Chassis and the Performance variants,” he said.
Local Engineering Driving Development
Hasan said many of the changes introduced on the updated Shark were the result of feedback from Australian customers and local engineering input.
“Australia sells the most Shark 6s in the world,” Hasan said. “This car was developed for our market, and it’s really rewarding and fulfilling to be part of a team that can drive that type of development and direction.”
With more towing capability, improved off-road performance, enhanced technology and a dedicated commercial variant, BYD believes the Shark 6 is now positioned to compete across a much broader section of the Australian ute market.
