New Chinese plug-in hybrid bakkie for South Africa – Dates and details

Chinese manufacturer JAC has announced that it’s bringing a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the T9 double cab to South Africa.

At present, the T9 is only available in 2.0-litre diesel guise.

JAC confirmed a while ago the we would eventually get a PHEV variant, as well as a battery-electric (BEV) model.

It now confirmed that the PHEV will arrive in the second quarter of 2025, however, the due date for the BEV remains under wraps for the time being.

What to expect

The new T9 PHEV derives power from a 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol engine married to two e-motors, one at the front and one at the rear.

On its own the petrol mill develops 160kW and 370Nm, with the e-motors bringing a further 60kW and 150Nm, and 70kW and 150Nm, respectively.

Together, the entire powertrain puts out a generous 290kW and 670Nm – rendering the JAC the most torque-rich bakkie in South Africa.

The closest competitor in terms of pure twisting power is the newly launched BYD Shark, itself a PHEV that churns out 650Nm.

To power the e-motors, the T9 PHEV is equipped a 31.2kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery that supports both AC and DC charging standards.

A full charge takes four and a half hours on an AC plug, dropping down to just an hour and 25 minutes when using a DC fast charger.

Unfortunately, JAC hasn’t revealed the electric or the combined driving ranges of the PHEV powerline, nor its fuel efficiency.

It did confirm that the bakkie is fitted with multi-link rigid axle rear suspension and electronic differential locks on both axles for enhanced off-road capability.

Additionally, it supports a maximum towing capacity of 3,500kg, making it capable of hauling horseboxes, off-road trailers, and caravans.

The T9 PHEV will be delivered with a range of advanced driver assistance systems as standard, comprising lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision warning, traffic sign recognition, and a driver monitor system.

Prospective buyers can also expect a range of nice-to-haves if the diesel models are anything to go by, such as keyless entry and start, leather upholstery, automatic climate control, electric front seats, a 7-inch driver’s display, a wireless phone charger, a 10.4-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control, parking sensors, 360-degree cameras, and a sliding sunroof.

From the press images, it appears that the PHEV will be differentiated from its namesakes via a blue JAC logo on the nose, whereas the diesel entries get red nomenclature.

Further details on the T9 PHEV, such as its pricing, will be shared closer to its launch in Q2 2025.