SPY PICS: 2024 BYD ute spotted largely undisguised

The 2024 BYD pick-up truck has been spotted testing undisguised and looking quite a bit like a Ford F-150 in images published by AutoSpy.net.

Square at just about every edge and closely resembling the local design patents uncovered in October, the first BYD ute is still without an official name as its world debut inches closer, followed by its Australian release late this year.

The images ultimately don’t reveal a whole heap of new information about the electrified Chinese workhorse in terms of the exterior but they do provide us with a glary glimpse of the interior, which is dominated by a bulky centre console, modest digital instrument cluster and signature BYD rotating infotainment interface.

A quick look at the instrument cluster shows a check engine light front and centre, which outs this particular vehicle as the plug-in hybrid version that will be followed by a battery-electric sister model.

The first BYD PHEV’s engine itself is a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol unit that pairs with two electric motors for a reported combined output of 364kW, while the electric range is said to be 100km.

Sitting atop the centre console we can see integrated grab handles, which look like doubling as armrest extensions, plus deep cup-holders and a chunky gear selector similar to that of the Ford Ranger.

A generous storage bin resides in front of that and beneath either a set of piano key HMI buttons or air-vents – it’s hard to tell through the window reflections.

BYD has promised its new dual-cab, which could beat the 2025 Ford Ranger PHEV to become Australia’s first plug-in hybrid ute, will blow both the Ranger and Toyota HiLux “out of the water” on pricing when it arrives Down Under by the end of this year.