- BYD NZ has announced pricing for the two new additions to its local range.
- The Shark 6 Performance adds a bigger petrol engine for more power and towing ability.
- The Seal 06 Touring is a plug-in hybrid station wagon alternative to an SUV.
BYD New Zealand had revealed local pricing (and final names) for the two newest additions to its local line up - the long-awaited Shark 6 Performance ute (previously suggested to the be called the Shark 7) and the Seal 06 Touring Premium plug-in hybrid wagon (previously called the Seal 6).
The Shark 6 Performance is an updated version of the existing Shark platform with technical specifications that include a power output of 350kW and 700Nm of torque, an increase of 30kW and 50Nm respectively over the Shark 6 Premium model.
BYD NZ says these increases see "stronger off-road capability, greater confidence under load, and improved performance in demanding terrain", while the Shark 6 Performance also addresses the major criticism directed at the Premium model, that of towing capacity.
Where the 1.5-litre Premium could haul 2500kg, the 2.0-litre Performance model ups this to a 3500kg towing capacity, though drivers are required to hold a New Zealand Class Two licence if they intend to tow loads exceeding 2500kg. The Shark 6 Performance will be priced at $76,990, with initial customer deliveries scheduled to begin in May.
The Seal 06 Touring Premium is a plug-in hybrid wagon that uses BYD’s DM 5.0 Super Hybrid technology that combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and a 19kWh battery. BYD says that under test conditions, the Seal 06 provides an electric-only driving range of up to 100km and a total projected range of more than 1000km.
The Seal 06 Touring offers 670 litres of cargo space, which increases to 1535 litres when the rear seats are folded. While BYD NZ General Manager Warren Willmot previously said he hoped to get the Premium version wagon into New Zealand priced somewhere around the $45k mark, this hasn't been the case, with the Seal 06 Touring landing at $54,990, with orders being accepted now for deliveries starting in late June.
"New Zealanders don’t want compromise - they want vehicles that actually fit how they live and work,” said Willmot.
"Kiwis asked us for more towing, more power and tougher off-road performance, and that’s exactly what the Shark 6 Performance delivers. At the same time, families and businesses told us they wanted to drive further while spending less, and the Seal 06 Touring does that better than anything else in its class. These two vehicles show BYD is listening and, more importantly, acting on what New Zealand really needs."