BYD is expanding its bakkie ambitions with the Mako PHEV, a smaller plug-in hybrid pickup previewed in prototype form in Brazil.

Set to be built at the Chinese automaker’s Camaçari plant in Bahia, the Mako is initially expected to be imported from China before local production begins. For now, BYD says the model is destined for the Brazilian market, with no indication yet of whether it could eventually be offered elsewhere, including South Africa.

Positioned below the Shark 6 in BYD’s pickup portfolio, the Mako is based on the ‘Song Plus’ architecture. The Shark 6 was evaluated in a road test published in the August issue of Car Magazine. According to CarNewsChina, the Mako is ‘approximately 4.8m long’, making it around 650mm shorter than the Shark 6.

The Chinese publication also reported that the Mako’s PHEV powertrain will comprise a 73kW/122N.m 1.5l naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine paired with a single electric motor. Combined outputs are rated at 166kW and 400N.m. Drive is sent to the front wheels through a dedicated hybrid transmission, while a four-wheel-drive version is expected to follow in the near future.

The Mako is not the only new Brazilian-built pickup on the horizon. In August, Volkswagen officially revealed the Tukan half-tonne bakkie, which has since been confirmed to be offered as a compact double cab. Meanwhile, the rumoured Toyota Corolla Cross double-cab bakkie has also been spotted testing in camouflage in Brazil.

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The post 2027 BYD Mako hybrid bakkie revealed appeared first on CAR Magazine.

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