Ready, Set, Aim! The T9 Hunter Arrives With Unmatched Grit
In a country that loves its bakkies tough and battle-tested, the new JAC T9 Hunter has entered the ring with solid bragging rights. Designed to celebrate a remarkable 24-hour endurance feat, this limited-edition bakkie is no ordinary launch. It’s a tribute to grit, staying power, and raw performance, and only 24 individually numbered units will be made available.
So what’s all the fuss about? Let’s take a spin through the backstory that’s revving up the local motoring scene.
A Record That Left The Competition In The Dust
On the 12th and 13th of April 2025, a factory-spec JAC T9 2.0L CTi set a new South African endurance record at the Gerotek Testing Facility outside Pretoria. In just 24 hours, the bakkie clocked 4,084 kilometres at an average speed of 170.1 km/h, smashing the previous record held by Isuzu and outpacing Toyota’s historic 2003 benchmark.
And here’s the kicker: there was no high-tech pit crew, no advanced tools, just four seasoned driving instructors, a film crew-turned-support team, and a bakkie that wouldn’t quit. If that’s not the kind of reliability South Africans can get behind, we don’t know what is.
ALSO SEE: JAC Motors Sets New South African Endurance Record With The T9 Bakkie
Enter The Hunter!
To mark this monumental moment, JAC Motors has released the T9 Hunter 4×4 Special Edition. It’s powered by the same rugged 2.0-litre intercooled turbo-diesel engine that conquered the Gerotek track. With 144 kW of power and a torque figure of 487 Nm, it delivers the kind of performance you can count on, whether you’re navigating Joburg traffic or towing on tough terrain.
The Hunter comes mated to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission, widely trusted across high-performance vehicles around the globe. With this setup, it’s smooth when it needs to be and savage when it counts.
Built For Bakkie Lovers
Performance aside, the T9 Hunter also boasts a few upgrades to appeal to those who want comfort and distinction with their utility. While full details are under wraps, each unit will be individually branded and numbered, giving future owners a slice of history and a talking point that’ll turn heads at every braai.
Whether you’re into the roar of the engine or the details stitched into the seats, this is one bakkie that speaks to petrolheads and weekend warriors alike.
READ NEXT: The JAC T9 Bakkie That’s Driving Rhino Protection Forward
JAC’s Moment Of Momentum
The T9 Hunter’s release comes on the back of solid local momentum. From January to May 2025, JAC T9 sales grew nearly 28% year-on-year, while T8 figures rocketed up by over 140%. That’s no fluke. It’s the result of smart R&D, sharp pricing, and a growing reputation for quality.
And it’s just the beginning. The rest of 2025 is looking packed, with JAC set to introduce the T9 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), the T6 single cab, and upgraded engines for the T8 and X200 models. The brand’s range is expanding—and so is its footprint.
Nationwide Support, Regional Confidence
JAC Motors isn’t just making waves with products; they’re backing it up with infrastructure. With over 70 dealerships across Southern Africa (including Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini, and Mozambique), they’ve built a network to support growing demand.
Add to that the updated 5-year/200,000 km warranty and 5-year/100,000 km service plan, and it’s clear the brand is investing in long-term customer confidence.
LEARN MORE: A New Green Era of Bakkies on the Horizon: The JAC T9 2.0L TGDI PHEV
Why The T9 Hunter Matters
There’s something poetic about launching a bakkie in celebration of a record set on home soil. In an industry where endurance tests have largely faded into marketing myth, JAC Motors has reminded everyone what it means to prove your mettle. And in doing so, they’ve built a limited-edition model that does exactly that.
The T9 Hunter isn’t just for those chasing power; it’s for those who believe in backing bold moves with bulletproof machines. With limited units up for grabs, the T9 Hunter is bound to move fast. If you want to get behind the wheel of a legend in the making, we recommend acting now. Book a test drive today and be part of South African motoring history.
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