Truck customers in the UK just got another interesting option with a plug-in powertrain, the BYD Shark. It's also sold in China, Australia, Mexico, and South America—but not in the United States, despite being one of America's favorite kinds of vehicles. We don't get any BYD vehicles in the U.S., so it's not entirely surprising that the Shark is staying away from our shores. But it's a shame because if any of BYD's cars could make it here, it'd be the Shark. With its Toyota Tacoma-size, boxy shape, and shrunken F-150 Lightning styling, it would fit right at home on American roads.
OK, so the "Super Hybrid DMO" plug-in powertrain would be a tougher sell, as tiny engines aren't very popular in American pickups. But that doesn't mean the Shark lacks punch. The 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder might seem small but it gets help from two electric motors, one at each axle. It packs a very healthy 430 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. Is 0-62 mph a useful metric for a pickup truck? Not really, but the Shark can do it in a hot-hatch-like 5.7 seconds. Towing is a useful metric, however, and the Shark can tow 5,511 pounds, which is about 2,200 fewer than the Ford Ranger PHEV.
