Key Points
- The Shark 6 Performance produces 350 kW from an upgraded 2.0-litre engine - the most powerful variant in the lineup.
- It is the fastest ute on sale in Australia, 0-100 km/h in 5.5 s
- A new crawl mode improves low-speed off-road control and will be rolled out to existing Shark 6 Premium owners via OTA update
BYD has expanded the Shark 6 lineup in Australia with two new variants: the Cab-Chassis and the Performance. The Performance sits at the top of the range and brings a meaningful step up in power, towing capacity, and interior refinement over the existing Premium.
The Shark 6 Performance can be ordered via the BYD website alongside the Dynamic Cab Chassis and Premium variants.
Here are five things you need to know about the BYD Shark 6 Performance.
Here is how the three Shark 6 variants compare across key specifications.
BYD Shark 6 Variant Comparison
Specification | Cab-Chassis | Premium | Performance |
Battery capacity (net) | 29.6 kWh | 29.6 kWh | 29.6 kWh |
Electric Range (WLTP) | N/A | 80 km | 80 km |
System power | 321 kW | 321 kW | 350 kW |
0-100 km/h | N/A (cab-chassis) | 5.7 sec | 5.5 sec |
Towing capacity | 2.5 t | 2.5 t | 3.5 t |
Body style | Cab-chassis | Dual-cab ute | Dual-cab ute |
1. Power jumps to 350 kW with an upgraded 2.0-litre engine
The Shark 6 Performance uses an upgraded 2.0-litre petrol engine paired with BYD's fifth-generation DM (Dual Mode) hybrid system. Combined system output is 350 kW, a significant increase over the Premium variant.
The extra power feeds through to both acceleration and towing capability, which are covered in the sections below.
2. It is the fastest ute in Australia: 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds
BYD claims the Shark 6 Performance covers 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds. That makes it the fastest ute currently on sale in Australia, ahead of performance-oriented rivals from Ford, Toyota, and GWM.
The figure is achieved through the combination of the upgraded petrol engine and the electric motors, which deliver near-instant torque from a standstill.
3. Towing capacity increases to 3.5 tonnes
The upgraded motor in the Performance variant lifts the braked towing capacity to 3.5 tonnes. That matches or exceeds the towing rating of most diesel utes in the segment and makes the Shark 6 Performance a practical choice for buyers who need to tow heavy loads.
The Shark 6 Premium is rated to tow 2.5 tonnes, so the Performance adds a full tonne of capacity.
4. Interior and infotainment get a notable upgrade
BYD has revised the interior of the Performance variant in several ways. The physical switches in the centre console have been replaced with buttons, giving the cabin a cleaner, more premium feel. The gear selector has also changed from a traditional shifter to a gear stalk.
On the technology side, the Performance adds native Google Automotive Services. This brings Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store directly into the infotainment system without needing to connect a phone.
5. Off-road performance improves with new crawl mode
The Shark 6 Performance introduces a new crawl mode, which allows the vehicle to maintain a slow, controlled speed over rough terrain without the driver needing to manage the throttle. This is particularly useful for technical off-road sections where precise speed control matters.
BYD has confirmed that crawl mode will also be made available to existing Shark 6 Premium owners through an over-the-air software update. A timeline for that update has not been confirmed.
How the Shark 6 is selling in Australia
The Shark 6 has become one of BYD's biggest success stories in Australia. It is the country's best-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle and sits in the top five best-selling utes overall.
BYD expects the Premium to remain the volume seller, accounting for around 55 per cent of Shark 6 sales. The Performance is projected to take 25 per cent, with the Cab-Chassis making up the remaining 20 per cent. These are BYD's internal projections and may not reflect final sales outcomes.
About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
