So you’ve probably read on this website that the BYD Shark 6 DMO has a cab-and-chassis version over in Australia. Pretty cool, we know, but that’s not just the real highlight of the updates from Down Under.
In that market, BYD just launched a new ‘Performance’ variant of its truck. Same traditional pickup without the workhorse body, but with significantly more horsepower and torque. Not that the original powertrain was lacking any, but we digress.
The Shark 6 DMO Performance makes use of the same front and rear motors as before, but it now packs a bigger 2.0-liter turbopetrol that’s paired with it. The new gasoline mill puts out 241hp and 380Nm of torque, up from 181hp and 260Nm that the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine produces. In total, the new hybrid setup is capable of 469hp and 700Nm, 39hp and 50Nm more than before. Of course, all-wheel drive still comes as standard.
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As a result, the new BYD Shark 6 DMO Performance can do 0-100kph sprints in 5.5sec, 0.2sec quicker than what local-spec units with the smaller-displacement engine can do. The jump in power output and acceleration doesn’t seem like much on paper, but it should feel significant behind the wheel. The extra torque should be helpful when hauling cargo, too.
Unsurprisingly, however, the added performance comes at the cost of range. Electric-only range has dropped from 100km to 80km, while combined range is down from 800km to 640km. It’s the price you have to pay for the power boost. Across the board, however, the pickup remains unchanged. The design has been untouched, and the tech package is as loaded as ever.
So, what do we think? Is a more powerful Shark 6 DMO something BYD Cars Philippines should consider bringing in? Or would you rather see the workhorse version instead?
