Hybrid Hunter in search of prey

0 0 May 08, 2026 Edit this post

JAC has opened the order books for its ground-breaking, Hunter plug-in hybrid diesel ute.

The all-new Hunter PHEV 4x4 ute is priced from under $50,000 plus on-road costs - say what?

First 1000 buyers will receive a choice of free home charger or $500 worth of genuine accessories.

Hunter is built on an interesting hybrid powertrain that features a 2.0-litre four cylinder turbodiesel combined with dual electric motors.

It produces a combined 360kW of power and reportedly no less than 1000Nm of torque.

That's more than BYD's Shark with 321kW and 650Nm.

Hopefully it rides better.

With a 31 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, Hunter offers claimed fuel consumption of 1.6L/100km and a range of 1005km (NEDC) -- or about 845km under the more widely accepted WLTP test procedure.

Braked towing capacity is a class matching 3500kg and it can carry a payload of up to 915kg.

There's also front and rear differential locks to enhance off-road capability, and V2L to power external equipment.

Hunter has been engineered with the help of Michael Barber of Multimatic, the team behind some of the most advanced high-performance and off-road vehicle programs in the world.

This partnership has helped shape ride, handling and steering balance, to ensure it performs under load -- not just on paper.

“Our focus was simple, deliver a truly work-ready ute with class-leading power, serious towing capability and outstanding efficiency, without the premium price tag,” JAC's Ahmed Mahmoud said.

“With Hunter, we’re giving Australian buyers everything they’ve been asking for and more, at a price point that changes the conversation.”

For further details of the Hunter offer see here.