New Models / 17 July 2026 / Michael Taylor

New BYD Shark 6 launched in South Africa – Pricing and features

BYD has expanded the Shark 6 lineup with a second model in South Africa.

The new derivative is a more powerful option called the Performance, taking pole position ahead of the existing model, the Premium.

It features a new engine paired with the brand’s plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology, achieving an even greater power output.

“The Shark 6 has redefined what customers can expect from a bakkie, combining plug-in hybrid technology, strong performance and everyday practicality in one of South Africa’s most competitive vehicle segments,” said Steve Chang, Managing Director of BYD Auto South Africa.

“The new SHARK 6 Performance builds on that foundation with more power, greater towing capability and additional technology. At the same time, the SHARK 6 Premium remains an important part of our range, giving customers the flexibility to choose the model that best suits their lifestyle, towing requirements and budget.”

The new Shark Performance is now available to order at BYD dealerships at a starting price of R1,149,900, making it R160,000 more expensive than the Premium.

Powertrain

While the Premium is fitted with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, the new Performance boasts a larger 2.0-litre turbo block.

This is paired with two electric motors – one at the front and one at the back – to generate a combined output of 350kW and 700Nm.

For comparison, the Premium develops a still impressive 321kW and 650Nm, which made it the most powerful pickup on the market.

Obviously, this crown has now been taken by the Performance, which now has considerably more power and torque than something like the Ford Ranger Raptor with its 292kW and 583Nm.

The all-wheel-drive BYD can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 160km/h.

It can also tow up to 3,500kg, and fit 1,200kg in the load bed.

Besides the added power, the Shark’s other big selling point is its PHEV drivetrain, as the two motors are powered by a 29.58kWh battery.

This gives the double cab an all-electric range of 80km, more than enough to complete most trips around town without using any petrol.

Combined with a 60-litre fuel tank, the BYD has a WLTP range of 640km.

The battery supports 7kW AC charging speeds, which will top up the cells in around four hours. Owners can also use a 55kW DC charger, which takes just 30 minutes.

It also has a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, letting owners use the battery to power external appliances.

The bakkie has 230mm of ground clearance, and a Crawl Mode, which manages the vehicle’s speed, power delivery and braking when travelling slowly over challenging surfaces.

Features

As you’d expect, BYD’s flagship bakkie comes with a generous amount of kit, starting with a set of 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, roof rails, side steps, and rain-sensing wipers.

It also comes with keyless entry and start, a multifunction steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, artificial leather upholstery, electric front seats with heating and ventilation, a 12-speaker stereo, a 50W wireless phone charger, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display.

One notable change is that the Performance uses a column-mounted gear selector, which frees up additional space in the centre console.

BYD has also integrated Google Automotive Services into the vehicle, giving it built-in Google Maps navigation and access to select apps on the Google Play Store, which can be accessed via the 15.6-inch rotating infotainment screen.

Safety and assistance functions on the double cab include intelligent cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning and prevention, emergency lane-keep assist, front and rear cross-traffic alert with braking, front and rear collision warning, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot detection, 360-degree cameras, and all-round parking sensors.