"It's better than the Ford Ranger Raptor": Chinese brand JAC makes huge claim about its fire-breathing PHEV ute the 2025 JAC T9 Hunter

Chinese newcomer brand JAC has made a huge call over its incoming T9 Hunter plug-in hybrid ute, with senior executives declaring the potent dual-cab "better than a Ranger Raptor".

Speaking at the unveiling of the Hunter at the Melbourne Motor Show, Henry Xia, Managing Director for Asia Pacific of JAC International, told CarsGuide the plug-in hybrid dual-cab ute had been benchmarked against Ford's hero ute, and that, in the company's view, it was better.

"We believe it's better than Ranger Raptor," Mr Xia said.

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Due to arrive in Australia in quarter one next year, the JAC T9 Hunter is an entirely different proposition to the T9 already on our roads. Its plug-in hybrid powertrain produces a massive 385kW and 1000Nm in total output, and it promises to carry close to a tonne, and tow 3.5 tonnes.

That's more grunt that any currently known PHEV competitor in Australia, with the Ford Ranger PHEV good for 207kW of power and 697Nm of torque, the BYD Shark 6 producing 321kW of power and 650Nm of torque, and the GWM Cannon Alpha set at 300kW of power and 750Nm of torque.

It's clear JAC is taking ute-mad markets like Australia seriously with the Hunter, telling CarsGuide the brand had shipped the Ford Ranger to China to do benchmark testing during its dual-cab development.

"We also introduced one sample from Australia to China for the benchmark," Mr Xia said.

JAC T9 Hunter

"We have some (JAC) samples to test with the customers. The feeling and the feedback from the customers, it is more important than our judgement now."

The JAC T9 Hunter is one of six models or variants the brand will introduce to Australia between now and the end of 2026, with the PHEV ute and a cab-chassis variant the only two models confirmed for now. Everything from the electric T9 to a SUV version of the brand's ute are under study.

"So six models on their way here before the end of 2026. It's models and variants," says (JAC distributor) LTS Auto Managing Director, Ahmed Mahmoud.

"The other vehicles, we'll keep our powder dry on them. What I can reveal though is we've got a cab-chassis variant coming out as well."

JAC T9 Hunter