New JAC plug-in hybrid bakkie coming to South Africa in 2023 – What you need to know

JAC Motors has announced it is bringing its new T9 Hunter bakkie to South Africa in 2023.

The double cab, which is built in China and developed for both left and right-hand-drive markets, will encompass four models when it arrives in next year.

This will include 4×2 and 4×4 derivatives as well as a choice of two different powertrains – a turbocharged diesel and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

What to expect

The release of the T9’s different engine types will be staggered, with the turbo-diesel models making their debut in the second quarter of 2023 while the PHEV will be released towards the end of the year.

There are also plans to introduce a battery-electric model in 2024, said the carmaker.

In terms of performance, the 2.0-litre, turbo-diesel engine will produce 125kW and 410Nm with power being sent to the wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The 4×4 models will use a part-time system with a low-range transfer case and a lockable rear differential and will be capable of towing up to 3,500kg. The new JAC then measures 5,330mm long, 1,965mm wide, and 1,920mm tall – with a wheelbase of 3,110mm.

No details have been revealed yet regarding the performance figures of the PHEV or battery-electric models, however.

Equipment offerings on the double-cab, meanwhile, consist of a 10.4-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7-inch driver screen, electronically adjustable front seats with heating, a wireless phone charger, partial leather upholstery, and dual-zone climate control.

It will also boast autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warnings, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, tyre-pressure monitoring, a surround-view camera, and seven airbags.

The official pricing and full list of local features will be revealed closer to the Hunter’s launch date next year, said the company.

“We are excited about the imminent arrival of the new T9 Hunter range,” said Karl-Heinz Göbel, CEO of JAC Motors South Africa.

“Bakkie buyers will love its large body design because local customer research highlights that a bakkie’s actual size is one of the most important buying motivators when it is purchased.”