The JAC T9 pick-up truck has been launched in Malaysia, and besides the RM199,888 EV version, distributor Evolvelectric Motors has also launched a diesel-engined variant called the Grand ES. Fully-imported (CBU) from China, where it’s called the JAC Hunter, the oil-burning double-cabber is priced at RM119,888, OTR before insurance.
You get a 170 PS/410 Nm 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, an eight-speed ZF auto and a part-time 4WD BorgWarner transfer case with an electronically-locking rear diff.
For both the EV and the diesel, length is 5,330 mm (beating Hilux, D-Max and Triton but not Ranger), width is 1,965 mm (widest in class), height is 1,920 mm (tallest in class) and wheelbase is 3,110 mm (shorter than Ranger and D-Max but longer than Hilux and Triton).
The JAC’s cargo bed is 1,520 mm long, 1,590 mm wide and 470 mm tall – that’s 1.14 cubic metres in volume, beating Mitsubishi (1.06) and Toyota (1.13) but not Isuzu (1.18) and Ford (1.34).
The T9 EV and diesel also share 27-degree approach and 23-degree departure angles, only the diesel’s ground clearance is 5 mm more than the EV’s (210 versus 205 mm). The diesel T9 weighs 2,055 kg, has a 1,000-kg payload and can tow up to 3,500 kg. Water wading depth is 800 mm and axle loads are rated at 1,300 kg front and 1,800 kg rear.
Externally, how does one tell the EV and the diesel apart? The JAC grille emblem is blue on the EV and red on the diesel, and there’s no ‘EV’ tailgate badge here. Front parking sensors, a windscreen-mounted ADAS camera, side mirror cameras and roof rails are on the diesel but not the EV, and that’s about it.
Even the two-tone 18-inch alloys are shared between the EV and the diesel (however, Chaoyang SU318a H/T tyres on the EV and Giti 4×4 HT 152 on the diesel, both 265/60), as are the pair of integrated recovery tow hooks (rated at 3.1 tonnes each) in the front bumper, sports bar, side step rails, LED headlamps and DRLs, LED combination tail lamps, front and rear fog lamps, and rear parking sensors.
The pick-up truck has double wishbones up front and multi-link leaf springs out back, as well as electric power steering, which you’ll find on the Ford Ranger and the range-topping Mitsubishi Triton Athlete.
A more-function-than-form interior contains a seven-inch digital instrument panel, a 10.4-inch touchscreen (with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto), wireless phone charging and a cooled centre armrest box. Here, the diesel gets a stubby electronic gear lever and 2H-4H-4L selector dial (in place of the EV’s rotary gear selector) and powered front seats (only the driver’s seat is powered on the EV). The diesel’s seats have a diamond-stitched pattern; the EV’s are plain.
The steering wheel is only adjustable for rake, but there’s a 360 camera, 64-colour ambient lighting, leather on the seats, steering wheel and parts of the interior, 18W USB-A ports, 60W USB-C ports and a 220V (150W) multi-type power socket.
The diesel exclusively gets Level 2 ADAS, which comprises AEB and adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot detection, driver monitoring system and intelligent high beam. There are seven airbags including a front centre airbag, and disc brakes all round. The Australasian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP) has rated the T9 five stars.
Depending on which body colour you choose (red, black, grey, silver or white), you get either a black or brown interior. Warranties are five years with unlimited mileage on the vehicle and eight years with unlimited mileage on the engine (first owner only).
JAC T9 diesel launched in Malaysia
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