JAC Motors Australia has announced the starting price for its Hunter plug-in hybrid ute (PHEV), with the dual-cab range opening from $49,988. Deliveries are scheduled to start next month.
The Hunter will be offered in two variants, with the entry-level Pro priced below the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV, while the flagship Hunter X is priced from $54,844 (both excluding on-road costs).
Both variants share the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder powertrain with front and rear electric motors, delivering a combined 360kW and 1010Nm. That makes it the most powerful and torquiest ute in this specific class.
JAC claims the Hunter offers up to 100km of electric driving range as well, and a combined driving range of 1005km. Fuel consumption is stamped at 1.6L/100km under the NEDC test cycle.
And it’s not just about speed and power. The new model will offer a braked towing capacity of 3500kg, meeting the class benchmark, while payload is listed at a decent 915kg. That’s slightly less than some diesel rivals but more than the BYD Shark 6 Performance’s payload of 725kg.
Ahead of its Australian release, JAC says the Hunter completed more than 100,000km of local testing covering durability, towing, payload, on-road and off-road evaluation, as well as hot-weather validation. The company says suspension and handling development was overseen by Australian vehicle dynamics engineer Michael Barber, with changes made specifically for local conditions.
Standard equipment on the Hunter Pro includes a 10.4-inch touch-screen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, digital radio, an eight-speaker sound system, leather seats, along with a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster.
Going for the Hunter X adds front and rear differential locks, a black exterior styling package, heated front seats, a power-adjustable passenger seat (not just driver), a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, power-folding mirrors, black roof rails, privacy glass, welcome lights and a 220V power outlet in the rear.
Buyers of the Pro can add front and rear differential locks as an option for $1888, while the Hunter X offers an optional sunroof for $1500.
JAC says customer test drives are set to be begin in the coming weeks ahead of the first showroom arrivals in August.
The company is also taking refundable $1000 reservations for the first 1000 vehicles, with early buyers able to choose between a complimentary home EV charger or a $500 genuine accessories voucher upon delivery.
