2025 BYD Shark: First official images of all-new ute
After months of camouflaged prototypes and spy photos, BYD has teased the first official images of the new Shark ute.
The first images of the forthcoming 2025 BYD Shark have been published, finally showing the ute without camouflage.
BYD published the teaser photos on its global Instagram account, with the Shark appearing in a dusty country area, an urban environment, and a coastal setting.
The Shark is set to be revealed in full on May 14, 2024, with all key details to be confirmed.
As previously reported, it's expected the BYD ute will launch the Shark as a plug-in hybrid – with a 1.5-litre petrol engine expected to back up dual electric motors, and approximately 100 kilometres of electric-only driving range. This would make Shark the first non-fully-electric model launched by BYD in Australia.
BYD claims the Shark will help owners "leave range anxiety behind and savour the journey of exploration," with a possible combined petrol/electric driving range of up to 1200km.
Another model from BYD, known as the Fang Cheng Bao Leopard 5, also uses a plug-in hybrid with a 1.5-litre engine and two electric motors, producing up to 505kW and 760Nm.
However, it's possible the Shark won't be quite as potent, with unconfirmed reports suggesting an output of 365kW on launch.
With BYD touting the Shark's off-road capabilities, the ute could borrow the Leopard 5's three differential locks to aid traction.
"It’s certainly been testing in Australia, there’s vehicles here," David Smitherman, CEO of EVDirect – the local importer of BYD Australia – told Drive in April 2024.
"You’ve obviously seen the spy shots, so we’re certainly making sure it’s going to work for Australian conditions, and of course this means meeting Australian [regulations].
"Absolutely, it’s being tested and validated in [this] country."
The 2025 BYD Shark will be unveiled in full on Tuesday May 14, 2024.