Opposition tracker engaged as JAC T9 Hunter pricing emerges

Sporadically hinted at since being confirmed for South Africa in 2022 and then 2023, Chinese automaker, JAC, has officially released price and spec details of the eagerly awaited new T9 Hunter bakkie.

Off and on

Publicly shown for the first time in 2020 and then again at the Shanghai Auto Show in April this year in facelift form, the T9 Hunter first come to prominence in 2021 when JAC Motors South Africa announced it had decided to offer the model, known as the Shuailing T9 in China, on local soil the following year.

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A move revised just over a year later as happening in 2023 for reasons unknown, the T9 Hunter’s market introduction sees it slots-in above the T8 and without the Hunter suffix.

Dimensions

Despite JAC’s long standing partnership originally with Hyundai and at present, Volkswagen, the T9 rides on an in-house developed body-on-frame platform called JL32 not used by its lesser siblings, the T6 and T8.

Assembled at JAC’s Nanchang Plant, the T9 measures 5 330 mm long, 1 965 mm wide and 1 920 mm high while riding on a wheelbase stretching 3 110 mm.

Marketed solely as a double cab, JAC claims a braked trailer towing capacity of 3 500 kg, a ground clearance of 210 mm and payload of exactly 1 000 kg.

A mechanical locking rear differential and low range transfer case are included on four-wheel-drive versions.

Spec

In terms of specifications, the T9 has a choice of two trim grades; Lux and Super Lux, both with the same drivetrain and with or without four-wheel-drive.

Standard fare is both are auto-levelling on/off LED headlights and 18-inch alloy wheels, “genuine” leather upholstery, a wireless smartphone charger, electric front seats, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, plus the following:

• folding and heated electric mirrors;
• side-steps;
• binliner;
• chrome door handles and mirror caps;
• leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel;
• cruise control;
• push-button start;
• rear parking sensors;
• reverse camera;
• remotely opening/closing electric windows;
• seven-inch digital instrument cluster;
• 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system;
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto;
• tyre pressure monitor;
• Hill Descent Control;
• Brake Override System;
• Hill Start Assist;
• Vehicle Dynamic Control;
• traction and stability control
• six airbags

On top of this, the Super Lux comes additionally furnished with front parking sensors, a 360-degree surround-view camera system, heated front seats, side-steps, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rain sense wipers and a sunroof.

Diesel for now only

Announced after its Shanghai appearance as being offered with both plug-in hybrid and full electric powertrains in 2024, initial motivation comes exclusively from a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine that will be supplemented later by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol, and in 2025, by a bigger 2.5-litre oil-burner,

A development of the same Volkswagen-era mill powering the T8 under the CTI moniker, the engine has, however, been boosted to produce 125kW/410Nm as opposed to 104kW/320Nm.

Sending the amount of grunt to the rear or all four wheels is a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic gearbox, resplendent with four driving modes; Eco, Normal, Sport and Snow. Claimed fuel consumption is 7.8 L/100 km.

As a reminder, the turbo-petrol’s 2.0-litre will crank-out 168kW/380Nm, while the outputs of both the 2.5 and plug-in hybrid are unknown.

Only known about the EV Hunter is its usage of an 88-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and ability to travel 400 km on a single charge.  

Colours and price

A line-up spanning four models, each T9’s sticker price includes a five-year/150 000 km warranty as well as a five-year/100 000 km service plan.

Finally, a choice of six colours are provided; Pearl White, Dark Black, Star Grey, Brilliant Silver, Metallic Grey and Passion Red.

• T9 Hunter 2.0 CTI Luxury AT – R529 900
• T9 Hunter 2.0 CTI Luxury 4×4 AT – R599 900
• T9 Hunter 2.0 CTI Super Luxury AT – R579 900
• T9 Hunter 2.0 CTI Super Luxury 4×4 AT – R649 900

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