Tougher than the rest? JAC questions competitors’ towing claims by promising the T9 Hunter PHEV ute will offer 3.5-tonne towing that won’t wilt in Australia’s heat

April 11, 2025April 10, 2025 Andrew Chesterton 2208 Views 0 Comments JAC T9, PHEV

JAC suggests not all towing ratings are created equal, promising its T9 Hunter plug-in hybrid dual-cab will tow 3.5-tonnes, no matter the heat or the hill, while softly implying its competitors couldn’t keep up.

The JAC T9 Hunter was unveiled at the Melbourne Motor Show last week, and will land in Australia early next year.

When it does, it will give the Chinese brand a genuine halo product, and one that produces a sizeable 385kW and 1000Nm thanks to its all-new 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and two electric motors.

Also on board is a 31.2kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery, with JAC targeting an all-electric driving range of “at least” 100kms.

Chinese brand turns Hunter on the Ford Ranger PHEV and BYD Shark 6 with fire-breathing plug-in hybrid JAC T9 dual cab

And while the regular ICE-powered T9 currently on sale in Australia doesn’t meet the unofficial ute criteria of 3.5-tonne towing, JAC has moved to assure that the Hunter will.

“I think no matter what, whenever we launch a figure, we need to be able to stand by it,” says Ahmed Mahmoud, Managing Director of JAC Motors’ Australian importer, LTS Auto.

“That’s why we do all our testing here, hot weather testing, cold weather testing.

“Whatever number we launch, we want to be able to stick by it.

“So, frankly speaking, there are plenty of other brands out there… Three-and-a-half tonnes is a nice round figure. Maybe we question whether or not they can actually do that up a hill in 45-degree heat.

“We want to make sure that we can stand by those figures.”

Interestingly, JAC hasn’t actually confirmed the towing number for the T9 Hunter, but has heavily implied that it will be 3.5 tonnes by quoting the power outputs on offer.

“The maximum power is 385 kilowatts. And the torque combined is 1000 (Nm). And what do you think about the towing? I think you’ve got the answer,” says Hongjian Jiang, the Director of Technical and Product at LTS Auto.

Hit that 3.5 tonne number and the Hunter T9 will be doing better than the popular BYD Shark 6 PHEV that hauls only 2500kg.

However, both the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV and Ford Ranger PHEV utes claim 3.5 tonne towing.

Andrew Chesterton

Andrew began his career as a journalist at Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph, before he was lured into the fast-paced world of supercars at TopGear Australia. He has also held senior roles at The Daily Mail, which involved spending time at HQ in London, and on the other side of the automotive divide with FCA Australia. As one of Australia's best-read freelance writers, Andrew now contributes to Robb Report, Wish in The Australian, Domain in The Australian Financial Review, CarsGuide, Wheels, The West Australian, GQ, Men's Health and more. His love for writing has carried him around the world and back again, writing for clients in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the USA. He secretly enjoys it so much he’d probably do it for free, but he hopes his editors never find out that bit...