Meet the 2024 BYD Shark! "Wild" plug-in powerhouse finally revealed as battle with Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger looms

The BYD Shark has finally been shot without camouflage, with the plug-in hybrid ute spied thundering across a dusty paddock as the model's official launch date is revealed.

Most thought BYD would unveil the Shark at the recent Beijing Motor Show, but the brand now says a global reveal and launch will take place in Mexico on May 14.

And to hype interest for the event, the brand has finally included a picture of the Shark without camouflage, giving us our best view yet of what to expect.

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Which is why we know our guesses were mostly correct, with the Shark staying true to dual-cab norms, with some modern twists.

Up front, vertically stacked headlight clusters frame a blacked-out grille, with bold BYD lettering across the front. Below that, silver underbody protection extends below the bonnet.

Side on, there are roof rails, blacked out wheel guards, a bespoke sport bar and a tub-liner, while at the back, vertically stacked tail lights match the lighting up front.

We already know what will be powering it, too, with the brand eager to prove a plug-in hybrid powertrain is a better solution than diesel.

“It's called DMI, or Dual Motor Intelligence. And it's not a hybrid as you know them," BYD importer Luke Todd has told CarsGuide.

"It is the best of both worlds – 100kms range on pure electric, and then switch over to the dual-motor technology. So we're going to have a vehicle of circa-1000kms, if not more range, but when you're driving around the city you'll be fully electric.”

The specific powertrain is still under wraps for now, but expect it to feature a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with one or more electric motors. For clues, we look to the BYD Fang Cheng Bao 5, which pairs its engine with twin electric motors (one at each axle) to deliver a sizeable 500kW and 760Nm.

The countdown to launch continues.