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The design of a smaller BYD dual-cab ute has been uncovered in a patent utility filed with the European Union Property Workplace after it was beforehand caught wrapped in camouflage – suggesting it may very well be a pickup model of the Sealion 6 mid-size SUV already out there in Australia.
Unearthed by CarNewsChina, the filings reveal the Chinese language automaker’s smaller ute shall be underpinned by a car-based monocoque (or unibody) platform, not like the favored Shark 6 plug-in hybrid dual-cab additionally on sale right here, which employs the extra rugged ladder-frame development sometimes most popular for off-road autos.
This might make it a rival for compact car-based dual-cabs not bought Down Beneath, together with the Ford Maverick – which makes use of the Ford Escape mid-size SUV as its base – and the Hyundai Santa Cruz, which is actually a ute model of the Hyundai Tucson mid-size SUV, neither of that are produced in right-hand drive.
BYD Australia has not confirmed the mannequin for Australia, given it has not formally been unveiled globally.
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The identification of the four-door ute is but to be revealed, with its design language following that of the Tune Plus, an older model of the Sealion 6 – Australia’s best-selling plug-in hybrid car (PHEV) in 2024.
The ‘child Shark’ differs from its rear door again, the place it turns from SUV into ute, with a much more standard tray than the Deepal E07 Multitruck launched right here in September 2025.
Given its potential Sealion 6 base, the Shark’s smaller sibling would measure not more than 4775mm lengthy, 1890mm huge and 1670mm excessive – making it shorter than the 5457mm Shark 6 – and have a kerb weight vary of 1940-2160kg.
In that case, it might even be shorter than the Santa Cruz (4970mm) and Maverick (5080mm).
Hybrid powertrains are anticipated given its anticipated launch in Europe – and its potential Australian arrival – given the Sealion 6 is bought right here with a PHEV powertrain based mostly round a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine (as per the Shark 6).
Outputs vary from 160kW/122Nm within the entry-level front-wheel drive Sealion 6 Important Normal Vary, to 253kW/220Nm within the flagship all-wheel drive Premium Prolonged Vary.
The SUV can be supplied right here with two battery sizes – an 18.3kWh unit and an even bigger 26.3kWh pack – with the smaller battery providing a 78km (WLTP) electrical vary, and the Dynamic Prolonged Vary providing 119km (WLTP).
Along with Europe and the UK, the life-style ute might be part of the Shark 6 in BYD’s quickly increasing Australian lineup – and face few opponents Down Beneath, the place the ute market is nearly fully dominated by mid-size dual-cabs led by the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.
BYD Australia is aiming for a top-three native auto market rating subsequent yr and, earlier this yr, it advised CarExpert it might consider each mannequin out there to it – throughout sister manufacturers together with Fangchengbao, Denza and Yangwang.
It’s going to formally launch the Denza luxurious model subsequent month with the Denza B5 and Denza B8 massive PHEV off-road SUVs, that are bought underneath the Fangchengbao identify in China
BYD’s Australian lineup may even be joined in 2026 by the Sealion 5 – a Toyota RAV4-sized PHEV SUV – following the launch subsequent month of the pint-size Atto 1 electrical hatch and Atto 2 electrical SUV, that are anticipated to turn out to be the nation’s most cost-effective EV and electrical SUV respectively.
MORE: Discover the BYD showroom
