Chinese brand JAC brings T9 ute to market

WITH one in five new vehicles sold in Australia last year being a ute, it is no wonder Chinese brand JAC has seen Australia as an enviable market to begin exports for its T9 dual-cab four-wheel drive, which lands in more than 50 local showrooms from next month.

Competing with other value Chinese brands LDV and GWM and the South Korean SsangYong Musso, the JAC T9 arrives in local showrooms with generally slightly higher prices but with better specifications – and certainly much less than popular utes such as HiLux or Ranger.

Two variants – the Oasis at $42,662, and Haven at $45,630 (prices plus on-road costs) – will come with a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel auto 4x4 powertrain, in dual-cab pick-up guise only.

The JAC T9 employs a 125kW/410Nm turbo-diesel engine in tandem with a ZF eight-speed automatic running through a Borg-Warner part-time dual-range transfer case. While PHEV and EV models are on the horizon, the local importer LTS Automotive has commented on a timeline for these variants.

JAC says that their new ute has a combined fuel consumption of 7.6 litres per 100km and C02 emissions of 202 grams per kilometre. The fuel tank holds 76 litres, giving a theoretical 1000km touring range, if the official fuel figure can be replicated on the road.

The JAC T9 is a new design but uses the tried and true body-on-chassis configuration with independent coil-spring front suspension while the rear is a live axle with leaf-springs. While dual-cab utes have been slow to adapt rear dis brakes, the T9 is one of those that uses them over drums.

Although the T9 is not any longer than many mid-size utes, it is wide. Measurements are 5330mm length, 1965mm width and 1920mm height. The pick-up tray measures 1520mm long,1590mm wide and 470mm high – large enough for an Australian size pallet.

Payload is 1000kg, while a spray-in tray liner is part of the deal.

Towing capacity is 750kg unbraked, and a competitive 3500kg braked, (350kg maximum tow ball download). JAC says that the kerb weight is identical on both models at 2055kg, and GVM is 3055kg while maximum GCM is 5930kg.

For off-roading, the T9 has an 800mm wading depth, with inlet air sourced from the right inner guard. There’s a 210mm ground clearance while off-road angles are quote as 27 degrees approach angle and 23 degrees departure angle. Turning circle is 12.4m.

An electrically-activated rear diff-lock is standard.

The Oasis and Haven each share a comprehensive features list, with leather seats (black and brown coloured, diamond-stitched and heated in the Haven), six-way power adjustable for driver (plus four-way power-adjustable passenger for Haven), climate-control air-conditioning including the centre bin, rear air vents, keyless entry and start, 64-colour adjustable mood lighting, rain-sensing wipers, remote-opening power windows and for Haven, an electrochromatic rear vision mirror.

On the outside, there are 18-inch alloy wheels (each model having its own wheel design), a rear hoop bar, rear step bar, tailgate locking, rock sliders and electrically adjustable, heated side mirrors. Both models are fitted with an underslung full size-steel spare wheel.

In addition, the Haven has puddle lamps, roof rails and privacy glass while side mirrors are auto-folding and the body-coloured side mirrors on Oasis are chrome on Haven.

For both models, the dash is a fully digital 7.0-inch size configurable display, and the 10.4-inch colour centre touchscreen includes AM/FM/DAB+ radio, Apple Carplay/Android Auto functionality and Bluetooth connectivity.

A wireless phone charger (with cooling), a 12-volt socket and two USB-A ports are placed in the front, while one USB-A, one USB-C and a 220-volt socket are in the rear.

Seven airbags are fitted, with dual front, front-side, side-curtain and centre-front, while JAC is confident a soon to be released ANCAP report will give the ute a five-star result.

Other safety gear standard on Oasis and Haven includes forward collision warning, AEB front and back, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, lane change assist, emergency lane keeping, driver monitor, active cruise control with traffic jam assist, speed limit recognition and assist, blind spot detection, rear collision warning, rear door open warning, tyre pressure monitoring, reverse camera, two rear-seat ISOFIX points and three top tether points.

Front parking sensors and a 360-degree camera are added on the Haven grade.

LED lighting is used front and rear, with Bi-LED headlights a, with auto on, corner lighting and auto high beam. There are also fog lights front and rear.

The JAC T9 has a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, with the added bonus of being applicable to both private and business buyers.

There is 12 months of no-cost roadside assist, which is continued for a further 12 months with each dealer service. A capped price service deal is in the works, with JAC expecting to be able to announce those details soon.

JAC has signed up 53 dealers to date, with representation in all jurisdictions except Northern Territory so far. Parts and accessory supply will be backed up by a new warehouse in Lane Cove, NSW.

There are seven colours available on the new ute, Stratus (solid white), Karak (metallic black), Hammerhead (metallic grey), Salt Bush (metallic silver), Wren (metallic blue), Red Belly (metallic red) and Huntsman (light metallic grey).

2024 JAC T9 Dual-Cab 4x4 pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.