The outside of BYD’s upcoming ute has been revealed.
In patent filing images shared by CarNewsChina, we will see the boxy styling of the ute that’s set to debut in China this yr.
BYD will reportedly launch it first as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), before adding an electrical version.
EVDirect, the corporate’s Australian distributor, has already confirmed it’s launching a ute in 2024. It’ll join the electrical Atto 3, Dolphin and Seal in local showrooms, with a mid-sized SUV due next yr.
There’s an enormous BYD badge on the grille, flanked by headlights with what look like distinguished C-shaped LED daytime running lights.
Moving to the side, there are boxy-looking front fenders, while the belt line kicks upwards on the C-pillar.
The ute includes a single-pane sunroof.
The inside was revealed earlier this yr, with elements just like the centre console with its metal-look rocker switches resembling the cabin of BYD’s recent Fang Cheng Bao Leopard 5.
There’s a free-standing digital instrument cluster ahead of the motive force, in addition to a big central touchscreen which can likely rotate as in other BYD products.
Below this can be a pair of air vents, while on the console there appears to be a wireless charging pad and switchgear for off-road gear just like the differential lock.
CarNewsChina reports the ute has independent rear suspension, versus the everyday live axle with leaf or coil springs typically seen in utes. It’ll also reportedly be offered with either rear- or all-wheel drive.
CarNewsChina reports the PHEV will use a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine mated with two electric motors for a complete system output of 365kW.
Should that be true, the plug-in hybrid BYD ute would shade even the 313kW naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 of the Chevrolet Silverado in power – if not quite reaching the heady performance level of the supercharged Ram 1500 TRX.
It’s unclear what outputs we will expect from the electrical version, which is predicted to make use of the corporate’s in-house Blade lithium iron phosphate batteries.
The as-yet unnamed BYD electric ute will compete against the likes of the LDV eT60 and its upcoming successor, plus the incoming JAC T9 EV and (potentially) the Radar RD6 locally in 2024.
Luke Todd, managing director of BYD distributor EVDirect, told CarExpert in December 2022 this electric pickup has been “designed around Australian conditions”, with each Chinese and Australian engineers working on the project.
Mr Todd described the BYD electric pickup as a “sports muscle ute” and said it’s barely larger than the Toyota HiLux.
‘Latest energy vehicle’ brand BYD is currently expanding at a rapid pace, rolling out its EVs in Europe, Japan, and Australia – where its Atto 3 small SUV is selling in strong numbers after a few launch speed bumps.
It ceased producing conventional combustion-powered vehicles earlier in 2022, and now produces only EVs and PHEVs.
This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
