Hunter PHEV – JAC Motors Australia has confirmed at the Melbourne Motor Show that reservations for the JAC Hunter PHEV Ute will open on the 5th of May, with vehicles arriving in dealerships from mid-2026.
- JAC Hunter PHEV Ute reservations open May 5, 2026, with first deliveries to dealerships from mid-2026.
- Class-leading 360kW of system power. More than any PHEV dual-cab ute on sale in Australia today.
- Class-leading CO₂ emissions of just 38g/km.
- 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
- First 1,000 reservations receive a complimentary home e-charger
JAC Motors Australia has confirmed at the Melbourne Motor Show that reservations for the JAC Hunter PHEV Ute will open on the 5th of May, with vehicles arriving in dealerships from mid-2026.
The Hunter’s 360kW is market leading in the PHEV Ute segment. Combined with class-leading CO₂ emissions of just 38g/km, 1.6L/100km fuel consumption (NEDC), a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, the Hunter is engineered to do more on less.
A Reward for Early Movers
JAC Motors Australia is offering the first 1,000 customers that reserve their Hunter an exclusive offer, a free home charger on delivery of their Hunter.
Safety: 5 Stars ANCAP
The Hunter PHEV Ute has earned a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, the highest possible result. It’s proof that exceptional safety and accessible pricing aren’t mutually exclusive.
Built for Australia. No Shortcuts.
JAC’s commitment to the Australian market goes beyond the test results on paper. Under Project: No Shortcuts, the Hunter PHEV Ute will complete more than 50,000 kilometres of real-world testing across Australian roads, terrain, climate and conditions specific to how Australians actually use their utes. The vehicle arriving in dealerships in late June has been calibrated for this country, not simply imported and certified.
At launch, the Hunter PHEV Ute will also feature vehicle dynamics tuned by Michael Barber, one of Australia’s most respected engineers, ensuring the driving experience is as considered as the powertrain that underpins it.
David Zhang, Deputy General Manager of JAC Motors Global, said the Hunter PHEV Ute is the Ute Australia deserves.
“Australians don’t need another soft hybrid. They need a ute that works hard, and just happens to be electrified. That is what Hunter is built to deliver. With JAC’s many years of chassis manufacturing expertise, and a powertrain engineered for real-world Australian conditions, long hauls, heavy loads, and long distances, Hunter delivers the performance you’d expect from a serious ute, and rewrites what power paired with efficiency looks like in a work vehicle.”
Built to Work, Not Just Pose
The Hunter PHEV Ute is a genuine 4WD. It features front and rear differential locks alongside five off-road drive modes:
- Snow. Optimised traction on low-grip surfaces.
- Sand. Momentum management across loose terrain.
- Mud. Torque delivery calibrated for unstable ground.
- Rock. Precise crawl control for technical terrain.
- Off-Road Crawl Control (OCC). Automatic low-speed management across the most demanding surfaces.
Ahmed Mahmoud, Managing Director of JAC Motors Australia, said the local response had already exceeded expectations.
“The JAC Hunter PHEV Ute has exceeded our expectations in terms of the attention it has generated from Australian buyers. When you combine a 5-star ANCAP safety rating with segment-leading power, fuel economy of just 1.6L/100km (NEDC), this is a vehicle that rewrites what Australian ute buyers thought was possible. And with 50,000 kilometres of Australian testing and Michael Barber’s vehicle dynamics tuning, buyers can be confident this is a vehicle built with no shortcuts.”
Reservation Details
Reservations open on Tuesday 5th of May, 5 pm AEST. For more information ahead of the reservation date, express interest at jacute.com.au/hunter.
Vehicles will begin arriving in dealerships from late June. The first 1,000 customers are encouraged to move early to secure the exclusive offer. Further details will be announced ahead of the reservation date.
JAC Hunter PHEV 4×4 dual-cab ute fuel rfficiency
March 2026 Update
AC Motors Australia has revealed range and fuel efficiency figures for the upcoming JAC Hunter PHEV 4×4 dual-cab ute as anticipation continues to build ahead of the ute’s Australian launch mid this year.
The latest specifications confirmed for the JAC Hunter PHEV are 1.6L/100km combined fuel consumption (NEDC) and a 1005km combined cruising range (NEDC). These are compelling proof points for Australian ute buyers considering the move to plug in hybrid power.
With interest in electrified utes continuing to grow, the Hunter PHEV is emerging as a compelling new option for buyers who want the toughness, versatility and practicality of a serious ute, with the added benefits of plug-in hybrid efficiency.
Ahmed Mahmoud, Managing Director of JAC Motors Australia, said the Hunter PHEV is arriving at exactly the right moment for the Australian market.
“We’re launching the right ute at the right time, and it will be at the right price,” said Mahmoud.
Hunter PHEV is arriving in Australia mid 2026
“The Hunter PHEV is arriving in Australia mid this year, and we believe it is going to get the attention of Australians looking to move into a plug-in hybrid without compromising on the capability, practicality and toughness they need from a ute.”
“These latest figures are exactly the kind of proof points that matter. A combined fuel consumption figure of 1.6L/100km (NEDC), and a combined cruising range of 1005km (Based on NEDC fuel/energy consumption) show just how compelling Hunter PHEV will be for Australians who want capability, flexibility and efficiency in one ute.”
Adding to the buzz around the Hunter PHEV is NRL star Josh Addo-Carr, who has already thrown his support behind the Hunter PHEV. Known as one of the fastest players in the NRL and fresh from breaking into the league’s all-time top 10 try scorers, Josh Addo-Carr was a natural choice for JAC: someone with real performance credentials and a bold personal style to match the Hunter PHEV.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for JAC. They’re doing the hard work to make sure the Hunter is a PHEV ute built for Australia, and that matters.”
“The design was a big part of it for me too. It looks tough the second you see it. Being able to customise it and make it my own was pretty exciting. It’s the kind of thing any car lover dreams about.”
JAC Hunter undergoes local vehicle dynamics development
March 2026 Update
- JAC has engaged vehicle dynamics engineer, Multimatic’s Michael Barber, to optimise JAC Hunter plug-in hybrid Ute for Australia
- Barber brings three decades of vehicle dynamics engineering expertise on highly successful locally developed and imported vehicles
- Barber’s engagement strengthens JAC’s commitment to engineering Hunter specifically for Australian roads and driving conditions
JAC Motors has engaged global engineering firm Multimatic and its Australian vehicle dynamics engineer Michael Barber to support local ride and handling tuning of the JAC Hunter Dual-Cab 4X4 ute for Australian conditions. Barber is recognised as one of Australia’s most accomplished vehicle dynamics engineers, having played an integral role on the critically acclaimed VE and VF Holden Commodore generations, and more recently helping international manufacturers optimise vehicles for diverse local driving conditions.
“Australian roads demand specific engineering expertise, and Michael Barber has spent his career mastering exactly that,” said Ahmed Mahmoud, Managing Director of JAC Motors Australia. “His understanding of what Australian drivers expect will make Hunter match-fit and ready for work.”
Vehicle dynamics tuning on the Hunter PHEV
The Hunter PHEV engineers the suspension system with a singular objective: the precise integration and balance of every component through vehicle dynamics tuning. Each element is tuned to work together as a complete, unified system – carefully calibrated to perform across Australian conditions and deliver drivers the best possible ride, no matter the terrain.
“The investment JAC is making, in both time and resources, demonstrates their commitment to developing a vehicle truly suited to Australia,” Barber said. “JAC has sent us an impressive library of tuning components, which gives us the scope to explore different configurations and find the optimal setup.”
Barber’s involvement forms part of Hunter’s ongoing Australian local tuning program, focusing on suspension system optimisation and integration. The development work targets confident performance across payload scenarios, on-road and off-road conditions, steering precision, and ride comfort.
“Australian roads are unique – we have challenging surfaces, long distances, and demanding conditions from urban to Outback. I want customers to find Hunter easy to drive and confident across all those conditions, straight out of the box.”
Comprehensive engineering and validation program
JAC Motors Australia Technical Director, Hongjian Jiang, said Barber’s expertise complements the comprehensive engineering and validation program JAC has undertaken to develop Hunter for Australian roads and driving conditions.
“Michael brings a level of dynamics expertise that is rare globally and invaluable for the Australian market,” said Mr Jiang. “He primarily focuses his work for JAC on optimising Hunter’s driving dynamics for Australia, while also influencing JAC Hunter’s suspension tune for China and international markets outside Australia.” JAC plans Hunter’s Australian launch for mid-2026.
Like all JAC vehicles, Hunter will feature JAC’s All Roads Assurance (JARA) ownership package, including a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty including commercial use, 24/7 roadside assistance, capped price servicing and an industry-leading warranty loan vehicle program.
JAC will announce Australian pricing and final specifications closer to launch. Customers can register interest at jacute.com.au/hunter or through JAC’s dealer network.
JAC Hunter PHEV dual-cab 4×4 ute completes Lang Lang testing phase
February 2026 Update
- JAC Motors Australia is conducting an exhaustive local testing and engineering program to make JAC Hunter match-fit for Australia
- JAC’s engineers worked with engineers from Segula Technologies Australia at Victoria’s iconic Lang Lang Proving Ground to independently test JAC Hunter
- JAC Hunter will launch in mid-2026 to maximise the benefits of this development program for Australian customers
JAC Motors Australia has completed initial local testing of the highly anticipated JAC Hunter plug-in hybrid Dual-Cab 4×4 Utility at the globally-acclaimed Lang Lang Proving Ground.
This engineering evaluation phase of Hunter’s comprehensive local engineering program establishes the baseline for optimising JAC’s first plug-in hybrid dual-cab ute for Australia’s demanding climates and diverse real-world conditions.
By the program’s conclusion, engineers will have completed more than 50,000km in development of the PHEV on Australian roads and tracks.
“This local development program is our most exhaustive and ambitious to date,” said Ahmed Mahmoud, Managing Director of JAC Motors Australia. “It will push JAC Hunter – and engineers from China and Australia – to the absolute limit.
“By the time JAC Hunter goes on sale, it will not just represent outstanding value, provide exceptional practicality, and come with JAC’s industry-leading warranty program. It will be match-fit and ready for Australia.”
JAC Hunter made its world premiere at the 2025 Melbourne Motor Show in April, impressing showgoers with its rugged styling and attention-grabbing turbocharged petrol/electric hybrid powertrain.
Evaluation in Australian conditions
Since then, JAC has been evaluating Hunter’s real-world capabilities for Australian conditions, with Lang Lang representing one of several key stages. This phase was completed in partnership with independent engineering firm Segula Technologies Australia.
The list of vehicle systems going under the microscope is comprehensive: vehicle durability and dynamics, powertrain performance and calibration, towing and load-carrying, on-road and off-road performance, acceleration and braking, and ADAS systems.
JAC Motors Australia Technical Director, Hongjian Jiang, described the Lang Lang Proving Ground as an exceptional facility with a proven track record of adapting international vehicles to Australia’s uniquely tough conditions.
“Lang Lang has been globally recognised as an automotive centre of excellence for many decades. The extensive real-world testing we can replicate on its many arduous bitumen, dirt and offroad circuits all contributes to optimising JAC’s first plug-in hybrid ute for Australian conditions – and for Australian ute buyers.”
Engaged for the Lang Lang testing and assessment phase, Segula Technologies has worked extensively with local and international carmakers across all facets of vehicle design, development and production.
“Segula is a recognised leader in Australian automotive development, and JAC will benefit greatly from their experience optimising global vehicles for success in Australia,” said Mr Jiang.
- The JAC Hunter will set new benchmarks in electrified utility performance when it goes on sale locally in early 2026
- The JAC Hunter Dual-Cab 4X4 Ute debuts JAC’s all-new 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and dual electric motor combination, which produces a class-leading 385kW and 1000Nm
- JAC Hunter is based on the JAC T9 Dual-Cab 4X4 Ute that ANCAP has recognised as Australia’s Safest Ute
JAC Hunter PHEV Ute
All-new JAC Hunter PHEV Ute makes global debut ahead of 2026 showroom arrival. JAC Motors has revealed the groundbreaking JAC Hunter plug-in hybrid Dual-Cab 4X4 Ute. To the world at the Melbourne Motor Show.
Set to arrive in Australian showrooms in 2026. The JAC Hunter represents a significant leap forward in electrified utility vehicles globally and in Australia.
The JAC Hunter will also be JAC’s most powerful and technologically advanced production vehicle when series production commences later this year.
This supremely powerful plug-in hybrid petrol-electric utility combines an efficient all-new 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Which augments front and rear electric motors to deliver a class-leading 385kW of power and 1000Nm of torque.
This powerhouse combination comfortably positions the JAC Hunter PHEV . At the forefront of the rapidly evolving electrified ute segment. Stripping its plug-in hybrid rivals for real-world performance and efficiency.
“The global premiere of the JAC Hunter marks a pivotal moment in JAC Motors’ 61-year history of innovation. ” said Ahmed Mahmoud, Managing Director of JAC Motors Australian importer, LTS Auto.
“Australian drivers demand vehicles that offer both capability and sustainability. And the JAC Hunter delivers this without compromise.”
“We are thrilled to host this Global Premiere for JAC Motors.
Advanced Technology Meets Practical Capability
The JAC Hunter dual-cab ute integrates cutting-edge technology throughout its practical four-door ute design. Hunter’s sophisticated petrol-electric hybrid system features a dedicated hybrid transmission. And an energy recovery system that optimises efficiency across various driving conditions.
JAC is targeting an electric-only driving range of at least 100km* from Hunter’s state-of-the-art lithium-iron phosphate battery pack. Comfortably more than its rivals and more than enough to cover most daily commutes without using a drop of fuel.
THe JAC Hunter will come with a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) system. That allows owners to power tools, appliances, and even provide emergency backup power from the vehicle’s battery. Making it a versatile partner for work and adventures alike.
Inside the cabin, the JAC Hunter exhibits many of the same creature comforts. That make its JAC T9 turbodiesel sibling so appealing to Australian ute buyers. The show car features a generous 10.4-inch portrait touchscreen infotainment system. With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, alongside a fully digital 10.25-inch instrument cluster.
The JAC Hunter will also feature JAC’s highly-specified driver assistance suite.
Which includes:
- enhanced autonomous emergency braking,
- adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality,
- and a 360-degree camera system.
Towing and payload
JAC has also designed the Hunter to possess the hard-working payload and towing capabilities Australians expect of a dual-cab ute. Plus, the vehicle’s advanced all-wheel-drive system. Enhanced by dual electric motor precision, aims to deliver surefooted performance and handling on and off-road.
JAC Motors conducted extensive Australian testing of the T9 on which the Hunter is based. To ensure the T9’s suspension, ADAS, powertrain and cooling systems were all validated for Australia’s harsh climate and demanding conditions.
JAC Motors’ commitment to sustainability extends beyond the Hunter’s capability for zero-emission motoring. JAC’s manufacturing process employs renewable energy sources and water conservation technologies. In line with JAC’s stated mission to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
The JAC Hunter will arrive in Australian showrooms in the first quarter of 2026. Australian pricing and specifications will be announced closer to that time. Interested customers can register for updates at jacute.com.au or at any of JAC’s more than 60 dealers across Australia.
* Notes
1 The specifications above have been supplied by JAC China. Australian market specifications will be confirmed closer to local launch.
2 The JAC T9 Dual-Cab was recognised as Australia’s Safest Ute. Based on its overall weighted ANCAP safety score (tested in August 2024).
3 For more information on JAC’s All Roads Assistance (JARA) warranty, see https://jacute.com.au/jara/
