18 hours ago
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BYD Shark 6 Performance-style off-road tech has come to the luxury Denza four-wheel-drive range through a Wi-Fi software update.
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Denza has rolled out the first major over-the-air (OTA) software update for the B5 and B8 four-wheel-drives to improve its off-road, towing and cabin features.
Software version 1.1.0 adds revised traction-control "management algorithms" claimed to "better coordinate wheel speed and motor torque," developed from the firmware used to allow the B5 and B8 to tackle the Beer O’Clock Hill off-road climb in Queensland.
An image released by Denza shows the off-road siblings have gained the same Crawl mode – with Climbing and Tug of War sub-settings – as the related BYD Shark 6 Performance ute, while removing 'Rage' mode.
In the Shark 6 at least, it tweaks electric motor and traction-control behaviour below 20km/h for more precise control of wheel speed.
New for towing on the B5 is cruise control that now works with a trailer attached, a dedicated shortcut to access towing mode, and the ability to enter the weight of the trailer for the car to adjust "performance parameters" and improve stability.
The B8 has gained the ability to use cruise control while in towing mode, and "dynamic range estimation" for a more accurate petrol and electric range readout.
Inside, the second- and third-row seats in the B8 have gained "improved anti-jam resistance" to prevent folding if resistance is detected as they begin to drop.
The head-up display in both cars now shows when the indicators are active, and a password lock can be added to the touchscreen.
The over-the-air software update is now available to download by current Denza B5 and B8 owners over the internet.
"We are listening to customer feedback, not only through our local engineering team but also through real-world experiences shared by owners driving on Australian roads and tracks," Denza chief operating officer Mark Harland said in a media statement.
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Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
