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, is seemingly ready to debut the eagerly awaited T9 Hunter on local soil following the discovery of pricing details.

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 taking happening in 2023 for reasons unknown, examples of the T9 Hunter have already been sighted at JAC dealerships and on the country’s road, which all but affirms an imminent arrival in spite of JAC itself having not said anything yet.

Dimensions

Despite JAC’s long standing partnership originally with Hyundai and at present, Volkswagen, the T9 Hunter rides on an in-house developed body-on-frame platform called JL32 the lesser T6 and T8 models neither use.

Assembled at JAC’s Nanchang Plant, the T9 Hunter 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 in South Africa, 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 Hunter has a choice of two trim grades; Luxury and Super Luxury, both with the same drivetrain and with or without four-wheel-drive.

Given the lack of information, not only on JAC South Africa’s website, but also press sights, specification items unique to each trim level is unknown, meaning those that are confirmed will be offered on both, or in some cases, limited to the Super Luxury.

As such, the T9 Hunter’s extensive array of features comprises the following;

• auto-levelling on/off LED headlights;
• 18-inch alloy wheels;
• sunroof;
• folding and heated electric mirrors;
• side-steps;
• binliner;
• roof rails;
• chrome door handles and mirror caps;
• black-and-brown leather interior;
• rain sense wipers;
• leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel;
• cruise control;
• push-button start;
• remotely opening/closing electric windows;
• dual-zone climate control with rear vents;
• seven-inch digital instrument cluster;
• heated and electric front seats;
• wireless smartphone charger;
• two USB ports;
• 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system;
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Safey and driver assistance systems come in the form of a 360-degree surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitor, reverse camera, Brake Override, Hill Hold Assist, six airbags and Vehicle Dynamic Control.

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.

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

As uncovered by duoporta.com, the four model T9 Hunter range’s sticker prices include a five-year/150 000 km warranty and 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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