When I first spent time with the BYD Shark 6 earlier this year, it was clear the Chinese company had arrived in the double-cab bakkie segment with serious intent. That earlier drive left me impressed by the plug-in hybrid’s everyday usability and the way it blended bakkie practicality with modern electrified refinement. So good is the Shark 6 that it was a Finalist at the 2026 South African Car of the Year competition, essentially making it one of the top 20 rated new cars in the country. Now BYD has upped the ante.
The new Shark 6 Performance, launched this week, sits above the existing Premium version and brings a more potent 2.0-litre turbocharged DMO Super Hybrid system. Combined system output climbs to a thumping 350kW and boastful 700Nm of torque, more than enough to hustle the bakkie from 0 – 100km/h in a claimed 5.5 seconds. That makes it the most powerful bakkie one can buy “off the shelf”. In fact, it’s just about as powerful as a current-generation Porsche 911 Targa 4S. More importantly for Mzansi buyers who actually work or play with their vehicles, braked towing capacity rises to a full 3 500kg.
A 29.58kWh battery still delivers up to 80km of pure-electric range, while the combined WLTP figure reaches a claimed 640km when you start with a full tank and charged battery. Charging is practical: roughly four hours on a 7kW AC wallbox or about 35 minutes on a 55kW DC charger. Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability remains, so the load bin can power camping gear, tools or a fridge far from the nearest plug point. I have seen it power a whole DJ booth at an event for over three hours.
Ride and capability get useful upgrades too. Crawl Mode takes care of low-speed throttle and braking on tricky surfaces, while 230mm of ground clearance and the dual-motor all-wheel-drive system keep the Shark 6 composed whether you’re on a worksite, a sandy track or a family weekend away. Inside, the big 39.6cm touchscreen with Google Automotive Services, a cleaner column-mounted shifter and electrically adjustable seats maintain the premium feel that already set the Shark 6 apart.
Priced from R1 149 900 and offered in four colours, the Performance model gives buyers who need more muscle and towing ability a clear step up without abandoning the efficiency and refinement that made the original Shark 6 interesting.
