BYD’s new electric, plug-in hybrid ute revealed in patent images

The exterior of BYD’s upcoming ute has been revealed.

In patent filing images shared by CarNewsChina, we can see the boxy styling of the ute that’s set to debut in China this year.

BYD will reportedly launch it first as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), before adding an electric version.

EVDirect, the company’s Australian distributor, has already confirmed it’s launching a ute in 2024. It’ll join the electric Atto 3, Dolphin and Seal in local showrooms, with a mid-sized SUV due next year.

There’s a giant BYD badge on the grille, flanked by headlights with what appear to be prominent C-shaped LED daytime running lights.

Moving to the side, there are boxy-looking front fenders, while the belt line kicks upwards at the C-pillar.

The ute features a single-pane sunroof.

The interior was revealed earlier this year, with elements like the centre console with its metal-look rocker switches resembling the cabin of BYD’s new Fang Cheng Bao Leopard 5.

There’s a free-standing digital instrument cluster ahead of the driver, as well as a large central touchscreen which will likely rotate as in other BYD products.

Below this is a pair of air vents, while on the console there appears to be a wireless charging pad and switchgear for off-road gear like the differential lock.

CarNewsChina reports the ute has independent rear suspension, as opposed to the typical 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 total 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 can expect from the electric version, which is expected to use the company’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 both Chinese and Australian engineers working on the project.

Mr Todd described the BYD electric pickup as a “sports muscle ute” and said it’s slightly larger than the Toyota HiLux.

‘New 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.

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