Take a closer look at it... Wait, not that close because it's clear what this truck resembles. If you're familiar with the Ford Ranger, your memory will immediately take you to it when you look at the BYD Shark PHEV, which BYD has unveiled in Thailand.
It was unveiled at the Bangkok Motor Show. The price in Thailand is expected to start at around $50,000 (specifically 1,699,000 Thai Baht). Will we see this truck in the UAE? We might, for several reasons.
First, BYD's growth and significant expansion in markets, particularly Arab markets.
Second, Arabs' love for capable and powerful off-road pickup trucks.
Third, the large success of Chinese cars in Arab countries, with their capabilities and features at competitive prices, has greatly attracted Arab markets.
But with such a price in Thailand, how much will it cost in the UAE? It's worth noting that the Ford Ranger starts at around $36,000 in the UAE. Which would you choose? Well, we're talking about a Chinese pickup truck with plug-in hybrid PHEV technology. The hybrid version of the Ford Ranger is likely to be priced at an astronomical price, exceeding $86,000. It's not yet available in the UAE market, so the price difference will be significant. But given BYD's clear competition, both in appearance and features, what do we know about the BYD Shark 6?
BYD's DMO Platform
The BYD Shark 6 is built on the BYD platform, a hybrid powertrain platform for BYD vehicles that combines a turbocharged engine and electric motors, but is specifically designed for off-road vehicles. It features an intelligent electric four-wheel drive system that relies on two electric motors to provide adaptive four-wheel drive for all-terrain driving. It also offers an extended electric range for longer electric driving and lower fuel consumption, while delivering higher torque.
BYD Shark 6 Engine
The BYD Shark 6 is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, paired with two permanent magnet synchronous electric motors. However, the engine isn't the primary source of power delivered to the wheels. Rather, it serves as a generator to charge the batteries and power the electric motors, which deliver the power to the wheels. I love this technology because it's an ideal solution for our country. It extends the electric range because the engine compensates for as much as possible of the electrical energy consumed by the engines. It also eliminates "range anxiety" and the lack of charging stations. It's a suitable solution for those who love driving in the desert. It's also a suitable option for those who don't want to be part of the rapid shift toward all-electric vehicles.
The two electric motors produce approximately 321 kilowatts (kW), or 430 horsepower, and 650 Newton meters of torque. The BYD Shark 6 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds.
Frankly, the Ford Ranger will struggle to compete with the Shark 6 in terms of numbers (speaking of the hybrid versions). The Ford Ranger, on the other hand, comes with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 207 kW (278 hp), but it outperforms the Shark 6 in torque (697 Nm). While the Ford Ranger has an all-electric range of 48 km, the BYD Shark has an all-electric range of approximately 100 km. The latter has a combined range of 800 km between its gasoline engine and two electric motors, but there are no official figures yet for the Ford Ranger's combined range.
After this comparison, which one will you choose? Will you lean toward the traditional and classic option despite the difference in numbers, or will you give the Chinese manufacturer a chance, as it offers you more at a lower price?
