Prepare for an epic showdown as we pit the 292 kW Ford Ranger Raptor against the 321 kW BYD Shark 6 in a thrilling drag race (with a difference)! Witness these powerful bakkies’ raw power and performance as they do battle… on a dirt track.
For years, the Ford Ranger Raptor stood unchallenged at the top of South Africa’s performance double-cab bakkie market… until the BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid arrived to contest the Blue Oval’s supremacy.
Cars.co.za’s Ciro De Siena (above, right) and Dave Taylor (above, left) recently got behind the ‘wheels of the Ford Ranger Raptor and BYD Shark 6, respectively, to see how these powerhouse bakkies stack up at the location of the Gravel Kings Drag Fest, Cape Route Rally in the Western Cape.
The Contenders:
Ford Ranger Raptor 3.0T V6 4WD
- Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol
- Output: 292 kW, 583 Nm
- 0–100 kph: 5.9 sec (as tested by Cars.co.za)
- Price: R1 270 000 (July 2025)
- Credentials: 2024/25 Cars.co.za Awards, sponsored by Absa Ultimate Double Cab– and 2023/24 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, sponsored by Absa Leisure Double Cab champion.
New Ford Ranger Raptor Specs & Price in South Africa
Find a new/used Ford Ranger Raptor listed for sale on Cars.co.za
BYD Shark 6 Premium AWD
- Powertrain: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine + dual electric motors (PHEV)
- Combined outputs: 321 kW, 650 Nm
- 0–100 kph: 5.9 sec (as tested by Cars.co.za)
- Battery: 29-kWh for serious electric shove
- Price: R959 900 (July 2025)
New BYD Shark 6 Specs & Prices in South Africa
Find a new/used BYD Shark 6 listed for sale on Cars.co.za
The Tests: Ranger Raptor vs BYD Shark
The bakkies are put through a series of real-world drag race scenarios:
- Static Starts: Standing drag races from a dead stop, testing quick acceleration and grip on loose gravel.
- Rolling Starts: Acceleration runs from speed, making the most of each contender’s unique power delivery.
- Driver Impressions: Ciro and David swap insights, highlighting how the Ford Ranger Raptor’s raw drama contrasts with the BYD Shark 6’s silence-and-surge hybrid experience.
Real-world traction, tyre choices, and drive system responses were all thrown into the mix, giving both vehicles a chance to play to their strengths.
What Sets Them Apart
While both double cabs can claim headline-grabbing specs, the Ford relies on brawn and a thoroughly proven recipe – muscular 3.0-litre twin-turbopetrol V6, serious off-road kit, and rally-proven DNA.
The BYD, by contrast, signals where the segment is heading: instant torque, plug-in efficiency, and onboard technology that aims to rewrite the performance bakkie rulebook.
Why It Matters
This test isn’t just about the stopwatch – it’s about showing how 2 fundamentally different approaches to performance bakkies play out on familiar South African dirt.
The result is revealing and entertaining, with both the American and Chinese contenders showing their strengths in ways that’ll matter to buyers taking these vehicles home.
Who comes out on top? You’ll have to watch the Cars.co.za clash to see how it all unfolds. But 1 thing’s certain – South African new-bakkie buyers have never had more compelling performance options.
See also: BYD Shark vs Ranger Raptor: Off-road comparison
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BYD Shark 6 vs Ford Ranger Raptor: What should you buy?
BYD Shark 6 (2025) Price & Specs
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