Powerful JAC Hunter PHEV ute due mid-year

JAC is taking a familiar “localising” path for its incoming Hunter PHEV ute due mid-year enlisting leading vehicle dynamics engineer Michael Barber from global engineering firm Multimatic to assist with the local ride and handling development.

The Hunter is powered by a new plug-in hybrid powertrain combining two electric motors with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a 31.2kWh lithium iron phosphate battery and is rated at a whopping 385kW/1000Nm.

It faces ever increasing competition in the burgeoning electrified one tonne ute segment that sees multiple powertrain choices filtering through including diesel and petrol hybrids of various configuration and fully electric models from all points of the compass.

Main protagonists will be BYD’s popular Shark 6, GWM’s Cannon Alpha PHEV and Ford’s Ranger PHEV, as well as the diesel-electric Chery ute that made its local debut in concept form recently ahead of a fourth-quarter production launch.

The Hunter dual cab PHEV is expected to provide a stimulus to the brand’s fortunes joining the existing four model T9 range in JAC’s line-up Down Under

The localisation program forms part of JAC’s broader Australian engineering program and is aimed at tailoring the Hunter specifically for local road conditions ahead of its launch.

Mr Barber is regarded as one of Australia’s most accomplished vehicle dynamics specialists having previously contributed to the development of vehicles including the VE- and VF generations of the Holden Commodore, as well as assisting global manufacturers with local tuning programs for Australian conditions.

JAC says his appointment underscores its commitment to ensuring the Hunter is engineered to meet the unique demands of Australian roads, from urban environments through to regional and off-road conditions.

“Australian roads demand specific engineering expertise, and Michael Barber has spent his career mastering exactly that,” said JAC Motors Australia managing director Ahmed Mahmoud.

“His understanding of what Australian drivers expect will make Hunter match-fit and ready for work.”

The tuning program focuses on suspension calibration and overall vehicle dynamics integration to ensure the ute delivers balanced ride comfort, steering precision and confident handling across a wide range of operating conditions.

According to JAC, the development work is centred on refining how the Hunter’s suspension components interact as a complete system with a goal of optimising performance across varying payload scenarios, different road surfaces and off-road environments while maintaining predictable handling and ride quality.

Mr Barber says the scope of the project allows engineers to evaluate a wide range of potential setups.

“JAC has sent us an impressive library of tuning components, which gives us the scope to explore different configurations and find the optimal setup,” he said.

“Australian roads are unique – we have challenging surfaces, long distances and demanding conditions from urban areas to the Outback.

“I want customers to find Hunter easy to drive and confident across all those conditions, straight out of the box.”

JAC Motors Australia technical director Hongjian Jiang said Mr Barber’s involvement would not only benefit Australian customers but could also influence the Hunter’s global suspension calibration.

“Michael brings a level of dynamics expertise that is rare globally and invaluable for the Australian market,” said Mr Jiang.

“His work is focused on optimising Hunter’s driving dynamics for Australia, while also informing suspension tuning for China and other international markets.”

The Hunter plug-in hybrid dual-cab ute is scheduled to arrive in Australian showrooms around the middle of 2026.

Like all JAC vehicles sold locally, the Hunter will be covered by the brand’s JAC All Roads Assurance (JARA) ownership program, which includes a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty covering commercial use, 24/7 roadside assistance, capped-price servicing, and a warranty-backed loan vehicle program.

Customers can register interest through the JAC Australia dealer network or via the company’s official website ahead of the model’s arrival.

Final pricing and full specification details for the Hunter will be announced closer to launch.