What's the difference?
The BYD Shark 6 Performance is the top-shelf variant in the Shark 6 line-up and, as such, it has a larger 2.0-litre petrol engine, an improved off-road system (or so BYD reckons), and 3.5 tonnes towing capacity (up from the Premium's 2.5 tonnes).
This Chinese-built plug-in hybrid electric ute also has more power and torque than the standard Shark 6, with maximum outputs totalling 350kW (up 29kW from the standard Shark 6) and 700Nm (up 50Nm).
And, if speed’s your specific cup of tea, it might delight you to know that the Performance can do the 0 to 100km/h sprint in a claimed 5.5 seconds.
So, with an updated Crawl mode claimed to simulate traditional low-range gearing, is this Shark better off-road than the Premium version?
Read on.
Peugeot Australia offers variants across the small, medium and large commercial van segments. Its largest model, the manual-only Boxer 160 which in 2020 features improved safety and warranty, competes in the LD (light duty) 3501-8000kg GVM class.
We recently put it to the test during a busy working week, to find out if it can land a few punches on its opponents in Australia’s heavy commercial vehicle division.
The BYD Shark 6 Performance is an impressive top-shelf plug-in hybrid electric ute.
It offers plenty in terms of quality, comfort and all-round driveability, and it’s well built with a real premium look and feel about it.
Nothing has changed there.
The bonus is that, with tweaks and software updates, this Shark 6 can do more off-road than you might expect of it, and certainly slightly more than its standard stablemate. But it still performs best when it’s used well within its parameters – that is, light-to moderate off-roading.
Consider the point well and truly belaboured.
It has its faults like any vehicle but it’s a competent all-rounder, that combines sub-$50K pricing with a big payload capacity, mostly user-friendly design, improved safety and a compelling warranty. It also faces stiff competition in the 3501-8000kg GVM class, particularly from rivals with an automatic option.