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An uprated BYD Shark 6 ute with a 2.0-litre engine and 3500kg is believed to be currently testing, meaning its launch should be soon.
BYD is set to address one of the Shark 6 ute’s biggest weaknesses, upping its braked towing capacity from 2500kg to a segment-standard 3500kg possible thanks to the Denza B8’s larger 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Having launched in early 2025 with as a single variant, the Chinese brand has long promised more versions are on the way – including one to not only assuage towing concerns, but also payload.
Now, having revealed the Australian-spec Denza B8, which shares the same underpinnings as the Shark, BYD has given its strongest hint yet as to what to expect from a more capable ute.
The B8, sold under BYD’s luxury sub-brand Denza, features a 2.0-litre engine paired to two electric motors, producing a combined 450kW/760Nm.
That makes it 129kW/110Nm more potent than the 321kW/650Nm 1.5-litre-engined Shark.
Crucially though, the Denza has a 3500kg braked towing capacity and 700kg payload capacity – both figures that could carryover to the bigger-displacement Shark.
Even the smaller Denza B5, which shares the same powertrain as the Shark 6, beats the ute in towing, rated at 3000kg, thanks to locally tuned suspension.
The Denza models also feature front and rear locking differentials, features that are lacking in the current Shark.
When asked by Drive directly if the brand is currently testing a 2.0-litre Shark, BYD Australia boss Stephen Collins said a “variety of different vehicles” are currently undergoing evaluation.
“I'm not going to confirm or deny whether it's a 2.0-litre Shark, but we do have a number of cars here at the moment that have engineering teams running around,” Collins said.
“We've heard loud and clear the feedback on Shark. We know where we can improve. It's a great package. Now, we can even make it better.
“Clearly towing capacity and payload would probably be at the top of the list.
“And I think also just offering some other options for people would be the other area [of improvement].
“We'll have more to say about that in the next few months here.”
Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
