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Right-hand-drive version of JAC's BYD Shark 6-rivalling T9 Hunter PHEV surfaces overseas wearing 'Australian Edition' nomenclature.
Electric Cars
Chinese-brand JAC is setting its sights on the BYD Shark 6 with its own plug-in hybrid ute, known as the T9 Hunter PHEV, and Australia is obviously an important part of its plans.
After choosing the 2025 Melbourne Motor Show to debut its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) workhorse, JAC has now revealed an ‘Australian Edition’ at the Greater Bay Auto Show – the first time the model has been seen in right-hand-drive form.
Differentiating itself from the earlier version shown in April, the ‘Australian Edition’ sports aerodynamic wheels and a white exterior colour compared to the rugged alloys and bright orange of the former.
The digital instrument cluster has also shrunk, from 10.25 inches to seven inches, in the change from left- to right-hand drive, but the rotary gear selector, 10.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, and electronic park brake remains.
The wheels in the ‘Australian Edition’ are wrapped in 265/60 tyres and measure 18 inches in diameter, according to CarNewsChina.
The publication is also reporting a 715kg payload capacity, whereas local JAC representatives have indicated a cira-1000kg figure for local cars, as well as a 3500kg braked towing capacity.
More details of the upcoming model include a 7.0-inch instrument cluster, 10.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, and underbody-mounted spare wheel.
Powering the 2026 JAC T9 Hunter, as previously reported, is a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and dual-electric motor set-up, which combines for a total system output of 385kW/1000Nm.
The JAC plug-in hybrid ute is also fitted with a 31.2kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery, which JAC claims can sustain around 100km of driving in all-electric mode.
The T9 Hunter PHEV ute is expected in local showrooms in early 2026, and will join the diesel-powered T9 priced from $42,662 before on-road costs in showrooms.
An all-electric version of the T9 has also surfaced, and even made its way to Australia as part of the 2025 Melbourne Motor Show display, but the brand is studying whether this EV would be viable in the local market.
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Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
