Exposed! BYD's new dual-cab ute revealed as Chinese brand's plug-in powerhouse readies for war with Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux

BYD's first ute has finally been spotted free of camouflage, with the plug-in hybrid rival to models like the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-Max snapped in a car park as its pre-launch testing continues.

The BYD dual-cab will ditch the diesel powertrains so popular in Australia, and will instead launch with what the brand calls Dual Motor Intelligence, pairing a smaller petrol engine with an electric motor and battery.

The vehicle is currently undergoing final testing in Australia ahead of its launch here, but has so far only been seen wearing camouflage.

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These images, captured by Canal Carros, show the new ute undisguised, with a front-on and rear-on view revealed.

As a result, we know the new ute will sport a huge light bar that frames each towering, twin-lamp headlight and then spans the width of the bonnet.

A prominent BYD logo takes pride of place at the centre of the blacked-out grille. Below that, you'll find chunky plastic and what appears to be silver-coloured underbody protection.

At the rear, a similar light treatment appears, though this time with a red light bar that links the two big and rectangular brake lights. There's more BYD lettering, this time time imprinted into the metal of the folding tailgate.

Completing the picture are the sizeable side steps, roof rails and blacked-out alloys.

While this is the first time we've seen the exterior, we have seen spy shots of the cabin, so we know to expect missile-style switch gear, leather with red stitching on top-spec models and a big central touchscreen.

The vehicle is currently undergoing final testing in Australia ahead of its launch here.

BYD importer Luke Todd has previously confirmed to CarsGuide the brand's first ute will be a plug-in hybrid model, with a full-electric version to follow about 12 months later.

First, though, will be this "best of both worlds" ute that can travel 100km in pure electric mode, or around a 1000km when the petrol tank and battery are combined.

"It's called DMI, or Dual Motor Intelligence," Mr Todd says.

"For Australia, in my opinion, I'm so happy that we ended up bringing this one first and not the pure electric, which will come probably a year or so later."

Similar plug-in hybrid technology is used in the brand's U8 luxury SUV - also confirmed for Australia - which is equipped with a mega powertrain. This pairs a small 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with four electric motors - one at each wheel - to deliver a staggering 880kW and 1280Nm.

That said, BYD is yet to confirm specifics of the ute's powertrain, though it has confirmed it will feature a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine.

BYD's ute is expected to launch in Australia by the middle of this year.