China’s JAC Motors is best known in Australia as a ute and commercial vehicle manufacturer, but two new electric vehicle (EV) concepts demonstrate its ambition to target new markets segments.
Unveiled at the recent Shanghai motor show, the DEFINE-S sedan and DEFINE-X SUV concepts represent the next stage in JAC’s growth as a brand, each featuring futuristic design elements and advanced technologies.
While the DEFINE-S is a seemingly unchanged version of the original DE-FINE concept which broke cover at last year’s Beijing show and publicly debuted in Melbourne earlier this month, the DEFINE-X made its first appearance in China last week.
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Both prototypes will serve as flagship models on the DEFINE platform, which will underpin JAC’s new lineup of EVs.
The DEFINE-X – distinguishable by its boxy shape, vertical strip headlights, large letter branding, and digital side mirrors – promises to be one of the most manoeuvrable large SUVs on the market.
It comes equipped with JAC’s ‘ICDC All-Domain By-Wire Intelligent Chassis’ – a chassis system that enables all four wheels to respond to inputs in less than 100 milliseconds, which JAC says facilitates ‘smooth lateral parking manoeuvres’.
The DEFINE-X will also be capable of turning on a dime and performing a ‘crab walk’ courtesy of rear-wheel steering system that offers up to 12 degrees of steering angle.
JAC says the rugged, utilitarian design of the DEFINE-X caters to weekend adventures and campsite use, too. Off-road exterior elements include underbody protection, wheel-arch cladding, and a roof rack.
Details surrounding the electric powertrain remain under wraps, and it’s unclear if the DEFINE-X concept will make it to production.
However, JAC did reveal that the DEFINE-S sedan is underpinned by a 1000-volt electrical platform and three electric drive motors that deliver a combined 590kW, enough for it to claim a 0-100km/h sprint time of just 2.3 seconds.
As part of its Shanghai display, JAC also showed off the T9 PHEV, a plug-in hybrid version of the T9 ute now on sale here, which will be known as the T9 Hunter in Australia.
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JAC Hunter PHEV
JAC has confirmed the T9 Hunter will be released locally in early 2026 as a key rival to the likes of the BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV, and the upcoming Ford Ranger PHEV.
Dubbed the most powerful JAC ever, the Hunter PHEV is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and dual electric motors producing total system outputs of 385kW of power and 1000Nm of torque.
It has a 32kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, and this allows the PHEV ute to travel “at least” 100km on electric power alone. The ute also has vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging capability so it can power electrical appliances.
JAC also makes an all-electric version of the T9 – the T9 EV – but it’s no certainty to come to Australia.
“The JAC T9 EV has a lot to offer Australian ute buyers and businesses keen to embrace zero-emission motoring. However, a decision has not been made on if or when it might come to Australia,” a JAC Motors Australia spokesperson told CarExpert earlier this year.
