What may be the Australian-spec 2026 JAC T9 PHEV dual-cab ute has made its public debut at the 2025 Greater Bay Area motor show in Shenzen, China as one of six new JAC vehicles planned for local showrooms.
The JAC Hunter PHEV shown in these images from Car News China will be badged T9 in Australia, joining the current diesel-powered ute on sale here since January 2025.
It will give JAC a direct competitor to the BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha and Ford Ranger PHEV dual-cab utes when it launches here in early 2026.
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The T9/Hunter PHEV was already revealed earlier this year, though the vehicle showed off at the Melbourne motor show had quite a different look with all-terrain tyres, black wheels and a black sports bar.
This Australian Edition revealed in China, in contrast, features 18-inch ‘aerodynamic’ alloy wheels running all-season tyres, like the battery-electric version of the T9.
There’s also blue badging, while the front tow hooks appear to have been removed and the sports bar appears to have a chrome finish.
It’s unclear whether local-spec T9 PHEVs will look more like the Chinese show car or the Melbourne show car, or if we’ll get the option of both looks.
The T9 PHEV is powered by a 160kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 130kW front axle and 150kW rear axle motor providing all-wheel drive.
Combined output is a 385kW and a hefty 1000Nm with a 715kg payload – against the diesel T9’s 1045kg – and braked towing rating of 3500kg to outmuscle the diesel versions’ 3200kg rating.
The 31.2kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery provides a claimed 100km of electric driving – more than the Ford Ranger PHEV’s 49km and identical to the BYD Shark 6’s range.
The ute also has vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging capability so it can power electrical appliances.
The interior sees a new four-spoke steering wheel design in place of the two-spoke wheel seen diesel versions in local showrooms, with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.4-inch centre screen.
A long-wheelbase version sold overseas increases the standard 5330mm length by 290mm but won’t be offered here.
Pricing and full specs have yet to be announced for the T9 PHEV, with this information likely to be announced closer to its early 2026 launch.
The T9 EV also shown in Melbourne in April has not yet been locked in for an Australian on-sale.
The T9 PHEV will be joined in Australian showrooms, however, by a raft of new JAC models, including a ladder-frame SUV due by the end of 2026 to take on the Ranger-based Ford Everest as well as the Toyota Prado.
