VIDEO: BYD Shark leaps into SA, guns for Raptor’s crown

The introduction of the BYD Shark this week broke new ground in the world of bakkies.

The Chinese-built double cab hopes to hit the ground running, by raising the bar in the local bakkie segment. These include being the most powerful and first plug-in hybrid bakkie in Mzansi, while featuring an impressive eight-year/200 000km battery warranty. It is also the first bakkie to offer heads-up display and the first with an electric lowering tailgate.

Priced at R959 900, the BYD Shark also slots in below the psychological R1-million mark, which many local bakkies have crossed over the last few years.

ALSO READ: Sub-R1m BYD Shark becomes South Africa’s most powerful bakkie

BYD Shark making up for lost ground

“It is not our intention so undercut our competitors. We want to put a product out there that can catch up the five to six years that we are behind at the moment,” says Steve Chang, managing director for BYD Auto South Africa.

“We truly believe that we offer the most powerful, most economical and safest bakkie in South Africa.”

The BYD Shark is powered by a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine that produces 150kW of torque and 310Nm of torque and a 29.5-kWh Blade battery pack hooked up to rear-mounted dual electric motors which makes 150kW/340Nm. Combined, the BYD Shark draws on 320kW of power and 650Nm of torque.

Drag race warfare

Before the new arrival, the Ford Ranger Raptor was the most powerful production bakkie in South Africa. It’s 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol engine produces 282kW and 583Nm.

BYD claims that the Shark can sprint from 0 to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds. The Raptor holds the current bakkie sprint record on The Citizen Motoring’s time sheets with a time of 6.9 seconds.

A very brief launch drive on the internal roads of an office park during its official media on Thursday was not too revealing other than the fact that the Shark has got serious bite when you step on the accelerator. As there is no limit to its top speed driving purely on the battery, 100km/h from a standstill not only came up very briskly, but also very quietly.

Plush ride

What we can say is that the luxury finishing inside is on par with a premium sedan or SUV. And that the double wishbone independent suspension at the front and rear make for a very plush ride, albeit the road quality was in pristine condition.

A huge 15.6-inch infotainment system features on the dash, with the front sports seats offering a heating and cooling function. There is plenty of legroom in the rear, aided by the backrests offering a 27-degree angle, a very generous number for a bakkie.