BYD plug-in hybrid ute spotted with minimal disguise

The upcoming BYD dual-cab ute has been spotted testing with little to no camouflage ahead of its unveiling in the coming months, and Australian arrival by the end of this year.

The image – posted on social media websites including South Korea’s Autospy – follows patent images of the new BYD without disguise published last year.

There is some disguise over the badges – including the ‘BYD’ script on the front fascia – but it is otherwise uncamouflaged.

Drive has previously reported the BYD ute is due first with plug-in hybrid power in 2024, before an electric version lands in 2025.

Neither a charging flap nor a fuel-filling door can be seen on the BYD ute shown in the pictures, meaning it could be obscured by the black wrapping left on the body – or sit on the other side of the vehicle not visible in these photos.

Previous images of the ute’s interior have shown a rotating, circa-15-inch touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster ahead of the driver.

The instrument cluster of what appears to be the hybrid model shows 1079km of driving range with a near-full tank of fuel, and a depleted battery.

Luke Todd, boss of BYD’s Australian distributor EVDirect, has previously told Drive orders for the plug-in hybrid ute are due to open in the first half of 2024 ahead of first deliveries in the second half of the year.

Mr Todd has previously said the plug-in hybrid is estimated to cost less than $100,000 before on-road costs, though final prices are still yet to be confirmed.