This JAC T9 is incidentally the first pickup in Malaysia to be offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
For those who want some PHEV-ness with their pickups in Malaysia, JAC now has an answer to that. Such is as the Chinese automaker recently brought in a petrol plug-in hybrid variant of its T9, which incidentally arrives to complete the full spectrum of powertrains alongside its existing fully-diesel and fully-electric siblings.
Now in getting straight onto the PHEV powertrain first, it pairs a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a four-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT) with an electric motor each axle. Combined output is rated at 489 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque, which should in turn see it make short work of hauling up to 915 kg in its 1.14-cubic-metre cargo bed and towing up to 3.5 tonnes.
The PHEV bit of the T9 PHEV also packs a 31.2 kWh LFP battery that touts an NEDC-rated electric range of 100 km, while a fully charged battery and full petrol tank shall apparently yield an almost diesel-esque combined range of 1,000 km. Charging times for the aforementioned pack are rated at 30 minutes at a maximum 46 kW DC (15-80%) and 3.5 hours at a maximum 11 kW AC (15-100%), with there also being 3.3 kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities as well.
As for elsewhere under the skin meanwhile, the T9 PHEV packs a set of double wishbones up front as well, while a solid axle multi-link coil-sprung non-independent setup handles duties out back. Those who may take their JAC off-road will be happy to hear that there are electronic locking differentials on both axles, alongside a terrain mode selector with five switchable off-road modes (Snow, Mud, Sand, Rock and Off-Road Cruise). Approach and departure angles of 27 and 23 degrees respectively are also identical to those of its diesel and EV siblings.
And while on the topic of its EV sibling, the T9 PHEV shares the same blue JAC grille badge that prominently features on its rather bold nose. Differentiating this plug-in hybrid from its other powertrain counterparts however is the addition of a sunroof (in a pickup!), along with 18-inch aero-styled alloy wheels that hide disc brakes on all four corners.
Moving along inside now, the Ranger-esque portrait-oriented 10.4-inch central infotainment screen in the T9 PHEV is complemented by a fully digital 10.25-inch driver display. Also to be found within are black diamond-textured leather upholstery, a rotary gear selector, an electronic parking brake with auto-hold, automatic climate control with rear air vents, a 50W wireless fast charger and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.
Finally on the safety front, the T9 packs Level 2 ADAS including front and rear automatic emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control (ACC) with lane centring, as well as a 360-degree panoramic view camera and rear cross-traffic alert. Passive safety in turn is handled by seven airbags, including a front centre airbag, which unsurprisingly hence sees this pickup score the full five-star ANCAP safety rating.
Currently fully imported but soon to be locally assembled at FT Assembly’s plant in Kulim, the JAC T9 PHEV is now available locally with a starting price of RM 154,888. Those who prefer some more macho-looking all-terrain tyres wrapped around distinctive black alloy rims could nevertheless opt for the Exclusive variant, which could be yours for RM 162,888.
The colour palette for the T9 PHEV currently consists of four options: white, black, blue, dark grey or silver. Warranty coverage meanwhile stands at seven years for the vehicle and eight years for the high-voltage battery, with both capped at 150,000 km.
