Hunting commences: JAC T9 Hunter heading to South Africa in 2023

Delayed from its initial market launch of this year, Chinese automaker JAC Motors has confirmed that is aggressively styled T9 Hunter double cab bakkie will become an official reality in South Africa during the second quarter of 2023.

Diesel only for now

The automaker’s flagship offering positioned above the T8 that benefitted from a more powerful engine last year, the T9 will be rolled-out in stages headed by the conventional turbodiesel derivative and, towards the end of the year, a plug-in hybrid.

A fully electric version is set to become available in 2024, but for now, only the diesel is slated to come to South Africa in the form of a 2.0-litre unit delivering 125kW/410Nm. Drive will be delivered to the rear or all four wheels through a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic gearbox with no manual being mentioned.

Until now, it was reported that the T9 will have either a 110 kW version of the 2.0-litre, or a bigger 2.5-litre oil-burner rated at 140 kW. As it seemingly stands, neither of these will be made available.

ALSO READ: JAC T9 now likely for 2023 premiere as brand rules out 2022

Dimensions and spec

Based on JAC’s JL32 platform, the T9 Hunter, for South Africa, measures 5 330 mm in overall length with a wheelbase of 3 110 mm, height of 1 920 mm and width of 1 965 mm. Despite the claimed payload not being disclosed, JAC does mention a braked trailer tow rating of 3 500 kg.

Aside from South Africa, the T9 will also head to Australia with JAC confirming specification items as a 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated and electric front seats, a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone charging, climate control with rear vents and partial leather seats.

Seemingly as a way of adhering to Australia’s strict ANCAP crash requirements, the T9’s safety and driver assistance system comprise Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, a surround-view camera system, Forward Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitoring and a tyre pressure monitor.

Depending on the eventual trim level, up to 18-inch alloy wheel will be offered, along with a rear diff-lock and, in the case of four-wheel-drive models, a low-range transfer case.

When?

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

Expect more details, and pricing, to be revealed at a later stage as JAC Motors South Africa is still likely to provide more in the run-up to the T9’s debut next year.