The JAC Hunter The plug-in hybrid double cab vehicle (PHEV) has completed its testing program at the Lang Lang Proving Ground in Victoria – better known as the former Holden Proving Ground – ahead of its showroom arrival in Australia in mid-2026.
The Hunter is the PHEV version of the turbodiesel T9 dual-cab model that the brand debuted in Australia in early 2024.
It is expected to be in showrooms in Australia by mid-year as the brand’s second signature. Local pricing, trim levels and model levels are yet to be announced.
The Hunter will compete with the Ford Ranger PHEV, BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV and the recently announced Chery KP31 PHEV crew cabs.
With Daily Sparkz you can save thousands on a new car. Click Here to get a great deal.
All but the BYD have local testing information, as the Ranger’s global development was led by Ford Australia, while the Cannon Alpha benefits from local tuning – including at the Lang Lang factory (and beyond) – by former Holden dynamics guru Rob Trubiani.
Chery has also confirmed it is conducting an extensive local testing program for its double cab, codenamed KP31, but will likely use a more consumer-friendly name when it launches here in 2027.
“This local development program is our most comprehensive and ambitious to date,” JAC Motors Australia managing director Ahmed Mahmoud said in a statement.
“It will push JAC Hunter – and engineers from China and Australia – to the absolute limit. When JAC Hunter comes to market… it will be fit and ready for Australia.”
According to JAC, the Hunter has now completed more than 50,000 km of local testing.
Its PHEV powertrain features a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors – one on each axle – with a combined output of 385kW and 1000Nm, beating the Ranger PHEV’s 207kW/697Nm and the Shark 6’s 321kW/650Nm.
With a 31.2 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, the JAC double cab vehicle can also drive “more than 100 km” on electric power in an unspecified test cycle.
The Ranger PHEV has a range of 43 km on the WLTP cycle, while the Cannon Alpha PHEV has a WLTP range of around 98 km (115 km on the NEDC cycle).
The Hunter also has a 3.3 kW vehicle-to-load capability, meaning its battery can be used to power devices or as a backup power source for work or camping sites.
Melbourne-based engineering firm Segula Technologies Australia was appointed by JAC to demonstrate the suitability of the Hunter PHEV powertrain for local conditions and customers.
Like Chery’s program, the Australian song could serve as a template for foreign models.
“Australia’s unique combination of challenging conditions, discerning buyers and high usage requirements make it an ideal proving ground,” said JAC Motors Australia technical director Hongjian Jiang.
“Lang Lang has been recognized worldwide as a center of excellence for the automotive industry for many decades.
“The extensive real-world testing we are able to replicate across its many demanding bitumen, dirt and off-road tracks all help to optimize JAC’s first plug-in hybrid SUV for Australian conditions – and for Australian SUV buyers.”
“Improvements we identify through this program have the potential to help Hunter customers worldwide.”
MORE: Discover the JAC showroom
