JAC defies its ute roots with sleek electric sedan and SUV concepts
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.
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.
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They were among almost 1000 entrants and five pairs of finalists who took part in this incredible competition to win a luxurious Ti-L version of Nissan's flagship, V8-powered off-road SUV, run in partnership with Nissan Australia. If you cast your mind back a few weeks, entrants were required to pick a spot on a map where they thought the brand-new Nissan Patrol Ti-L was hidden using three clues supplied, and then submit a video explaining their previous off-road driving experience and why they wanted to come and join us to hunt for Nissan's legendary SUV. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Nissan. Click here to get a great deal. After a rigorous selection process, judges narrowed the finalists down to five couples (and by couples we mean pairs of entrants), who joined Nissan and CarExpert in the Bendleby Ranges where the Nissan Patrol was hidden. 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So the Nissan team pivoted and took what mother nature had given to them, and the competition was then broken into three parts, with the winner being the couple that accrued the highest number of points from the trio of challenges. The first involved each couple jumping into a Nissan Patrol and tackling a challenging off-road loop in the soggy conditions. Each couple was given a camera and tasked with snapping a photo of a Nissan Patrol that was hidden in the bush under a camouflage net. Some of the enterprising couples were clever about this challenge and took as many photos as they could. But ultimately they could only submit one for judging from all of the photos they took as part of the event. Judges then checked the photos to ensure the correct location was discovered, awarding points to those that accurately spotted the car. From there entrants moved on to a quiz, which included a set of questions they had to answer relating to the Patrol, and the Bendleby and Flinders Ranges. 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MORE: Explore the Nissan Patrol showroom Content originally sourced from: Nissan Oceania managing director Andrew Humberstone has handed over the keys of a brand-new Nissan Patrol to winner Beth and driving partner (and son) Travers, courtesy of Nissan Australia. They were among almost 1000 entrants and five pairs of finalists who took part in this incredible competition to win a luxurious Ti-L version of Nissan's flagship, V8-powered off-road SUV, run in partnership with Nissan Australia. If you cast your mind back a few weeks, entrants were required to pick a spot on a map where they thought the brand-new Nissan Patrol Ti-L was hidden using three clues supplied, and then submit a video explaining their previous off-road driving experience and why they wanted to come and join us to hunt for Nissan's legendary SUV. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Nissan. Click here to get a great deal. After a rigorous selection process, judges narrowed the finalists down to five couples (and by couples we mean pairs of entrants), who joined Nissan and CarExpert in the Bendleby Ranges where the Nissan Patrol was hidden. But when the time came for them to take part in the final stage of the competition, the heavens opened and the weather threw a spanner in the works. Over a single day the Flinders Ranges went from being as dry as a chip and under drought conditions, to experiencing the most widespread day of rain South Australia has seen in several years. So the Nissan team pivoted and took what mother nature had given to them, and the competition was then broken into three parts, with the winner being the couple that accrued the highest number of points from the trio of challenges. The first involved each couple jumping into a Nissan Patrol and tackling a challenging off-road loop in the soggy conditions. Each couple was given a camera and tasked with snapping a photo of a Nissan Patrol that was hidden in the bush under a camouflage net. Some of the enterprising couples were clever about this challenge and took as many photos as they could. But ultimately they could only submit one for judging from all of the photos they took as part of the event. Judges then checked the photos to ensure the correct location was discovered, awarding points to those that accurately spotted the car. From there entrants moved on to a quiz, which included a set of questions they had to answer relating to the Patrol, and the Bendleby and Flinders Ranges. Again, points were awarded for each correct answer. The final task entrants had to undertake was using metal detectors in an old shearing shed to find a hidden key. It was a big shed and they were given only five minutes to track the key down using only the metal detector. Entrants were then awarded points depending on how quickly they found the key. After spending the best part of the day completing the tasks, the competitors finally congregated for the final results. Our winning couple, a mother and son combo, were absolutely ecstatic about what Travers described as their "life-changing" win. Beth explained that Travers currently has an infant and that he and his wife are expecting another soon. They had an agreement prior to the competition that Travers could claim the prize if he filled the Patrol's seats with grandkids. After being handed the keys to the brand-new Patrol Ti-L, Travers said his first trip would be to visit Beth's farm with his growing clan. MORE: Explore the Nissan Patrol showroom Content originally sourced from:
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Above: Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 "Jeep fans, don't worry, the 6.4-litre Hemi V8 will have a home at Jeep," he said. "After being out at the Rubicon Trail, it's clear just how much people love the roar of the 392. "We will extend the availability of the 392 Wrangler and, in fact, we will tap the power and performance of the Hemi across Jeep products as new projects are already underway." Jeep's global boss confirmed the Gladiator will also join the V8 club with its own Rubicon 392 variant, which should produce the same 336kW of power and 610Nm of torque as the Wrangler Rubicon 392. Above: Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf "Wrangler and Gladiator fans, and Hemi fans in general, don't worry – we got you," said Mr Broderdorf. However, it remains to be seen whether any V8 Jeeps will be sold in Australia, given the Wrangler Rubicon 392 is so far produced only in left-hand drive and the federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) is now applying penalties to auto brands that don't meet tightening CO2 emissions limits. "Nothing to announce on the 392s but will let you know if we do," a Jeep Australia spokesperson told CarExpert. Another handbrake in the chances of the V8-powered Wrangler or Gladiator coming to Australia is slowing sales of the former, with Wrangler sales down almost 47 per cent in the first half of this year. In response, Jeep Australia last month axed entry-level Sport S and mid-range Overland variants of the Wrangler, leaving only two-door and four-door versions of its flagship Rubicon trim remaining on sale here, priced slightly lower at $79,990 and $82,990 respectively in updated MY25 guise, before on-road costs. Meantime, the Gladiator dual-cab is available in just one flagship MY25 Rubicon variant that's also priced slightly lower at $82,990 plus on-roads, following a 16.6 per cent sale increase to June in 2025. Above: 2026 Jeep Compass However, the Gladiator remains Australia's slowest-selling pre-existing dual-cab 4×4 ute, with fewer than 200 examples sold so far this year. And Jeep Australia sales are down more than 19 per cent despite the Grand Cherokee increasing in popularity by more than 44 per cent to become its best-seller once again, at least until runout stocks are sold and the large SUV is discontinued in this market. Jeep Compass sales are down by more than two-thirds in one of the fastest growing segments (small SUV) in 2025, but a new generation will be released locally in the second half of 2026. Above: Jeep Wagoneer S Confirmed for Australian release back in 2022, the Wagoneer S mid-size electric SUV and the more hardcore Jeep Recon EV, which is expected to launch in the US in November, now appear to be further out than 2026. "For now, we have new Compass coming second half of next year and will update you on the others closer to [launch]" said the Jeep Australia spokesperson. A new Cherokee mid-size SUV will be released late this year in the US but won't come to Australia, although mild-hybrid and perhaps 4xe all-wheel drive versions of Jeep's first EV, the Avenger, are expected to be sold here. MORE: Discover the Jeep showroom Content originally sourced from: Jeep has confirmed its big-bore 6.4-litre Hemi V8 will be offered in the Gladiator dual-cab pickup for the first time, as well as more widely across the Wrangler lineup. It comes after the lauded 5.7-litre Hemi V8 returned to the Ram 1500 pickup range following the relaxation of US fuel consumption and emissions regulations, with the supercharged 6.2-litre Hellcat V8 of the defunct TRX potentially returning next. The news is significant, given the Wrangler Rubicon 392 – a limited-edition model variant name that denotes its engine displacement in cubic inches – was expected to be discontinued after 2023, and had even received a Final Edition. Instead, Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf told US media late last week not only that the 6.4-litre 'Apache' V8 wasn't going anywhere, but would become more widely available across the Wrangler and, for the first time, Gladiator lineups – and potentially other Jeep model lines. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Jeep. Click here to get a great deal. Above: Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 "Jeep fans, don't worry, the 6.4-litre Hemi V8 will have a home at Jeep," he said. "After being out at the Rubicon Trail, it's clear just how much people love the roar of the 392. "We will extend the availability of the 392 Wrangler and, in fact, we will tap the power and performance of the Hemi across Jeep products as new projects are already underway." Jeep's global boss confirmed the Gladiator will also join the V8 club with its own Rubicon 392 variant, which should produce the same 336kW of power and 610Nm of torque as the Wrangler Rubicon 392. Above: Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf "Wrangler and Gladiator fans, and Hemi fans in general, don't worry – we got you," said Mr Broderdorf. However, it remains to be seen whether any V8 Jeeps will be sold in Australia, given the Wrangler Rubicon 392 is so far produced only in left-hand drive and the federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) is now applying penalties to auto brands that don't meet tightening CO2 emissions limits. "Nothing to announce on the 392s but will let you know if we do," a Jeep Australia spokesperson told CarExpert. Another handbrake in the chances of the V8-powered Wrangler or Gladiator coming to Australia is slowing sales of the former, with Wrangler sales down almost 47 per cent in the first half of this year. In response, Jeep Australia last month axed entry-level Sport S and mid-range Overland variants of the Wrangler, leaving only two-door and four-door versions of its flagship Rubicon trim remaining on sale here, priced slightly lower at $79,990 and $82,990 respectively in updated MY25 guise, before on-road costs. Meantime, the Gladiator dual-cab is available in just one flagship MY25 Rubicon variant that's also priced slightly lower at $82,990 plus on-roads, following a 16.6 per cent sale increase to June in 2025. Above: 2026 Jeep Compass However, the Gladiator remains Australia's slowest-selling pre-existing dual-cab 4×4 ute, with fewer than 200 examples sold so far this year. And Jeep Australia sales are down more than 19 per cent despite the Grand Cherokee increasing in popularity by more than 44 per cent to become its best-seller once again, at least until runout stocks are sold and the large SUV is discontinued in this market. Jeep Compass sales are down by more than two-thirds in one of the fastest growing segments (small SUV) in 2025, but a new generation will be released locally in the second half of 2026. Above: Jeep Wagoneer S Confirmed for Australian release back in 2022, the Wagoneer S mid-size electric SUV and the more hardcore Jeep Recon EV, which is expected to launch in the US in November, now appear to be further out than 2026. "For now, we have new Compass coming second half of next year and will update you on the others closer to [launch]" said the Jeep Australia spokesperson. A new Cherokee mid-size SUV will be released late this year in the US but won't come to Australia, although mild-hybrid and perhaps 4xe all-wheel drive versions of Jeep's first EV, the Avenger, are expected to be sold here. MORE: Discover the Jeep showroom Content originally sourced from: Jeep has confirmed its big-bore 6.4-litre Hemi V8 will be offered in the Gladiator dual-cab pickup for the first time, as well as more widely across the Wrangler lineup. It comes after the lauded 5.7-litre Hemi V8 returned to the Ram 1500 pickup range following the relaxation of US fuel consumption and emissions regulations, with the supercharged 6.2-litre Hellcat V8 of the defunct TRX potentially returning next. The news is significant, given the Wrangler Rubicon 392 – a limited-edition model variant name that denotes its engine displacement in cubic inches – was expected to be discontinued after 2023, and had even received a Final Edition. Instead, Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf told US media late last week not only that the 6.4-litre 'Apache' V8 wasn't going anywhere, but would become more widely available across the Wrangler and, for the first time, Gladiator lineups – and potentially other Jeep model lines. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Jeep. Click here to get a great deal. Above: Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 "Jeep fans, don't worry, the 6.4-litre Hemi V8 will have a home at Jeep," he said. "After being out at the Rubicon Trail, it's clear just how much people love the roar of the 392. "We will extend the availability of the 392 Wrangler and, in fact, we will tap the power and performance of the Hemi across Jeep products as new projects are already underway." Jeep's global boss confirmed the Gladiator will also join the V8 club with its own Rubicon 392 variant, which should produce the same 336kW of power and 610Nm of torque as the Wrangler Rubicon 392. Above: Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf "Wrangler and Gladiator fans, and Hemi fans in general, don't worry – we got you," said Mr Broderdorf. However, it remains to be seen whether any V8 Jeeps will be sold in Australia, given the Wrangler Rubicon 392 is so far produced only in left-hand drive and the federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) is now applying penalties to auto brands that don't meet tightening CO2 emissions limits. "Nothing to announce on the 392s but will let you know if we do," a Jeep Australia spokesperson told CarExpert. Another handbrake in the chances of the V8-powered Wrangler or Gladiator coming to Australia is slowing sales of the former, with Wrangler sales down almost 47 per cent in the first half of this year. In response, Jeep Australia last month axed entry-level Sport S and mid-range Overland variants of the Wrangler, leaving only two-door and four-door versions of its flagship Rubicon trim remaining on sale here, priced slightly lower at $79,990 and $82,990 respectively in updated MY25 guise, before on-road costs. Meantime, the Gladiator dual-cab is available in just one flagship MY25 Rubicon variant that's also priced slightly lower at $82,990 plus on-roads, following a 16.6 per cent sale increase to June in 2025. Above: 2026 Jeep Compass However, the Gladiator remains Australia's slowest-selling pre-existing dual-cab 4×4 ute, with fewer than 200 examples sold so far this year. And Jeep Australia sales are down more than 19 per cent despite the Grand Cherokee increasing in popularity by more than 44 per cent to become its best-seller once again, at least until runout stocks are sold and the large SUV is discontinued in this market. Jeep Compass sales are down by more than two-thirds in one of the fastest growing segments (small SUV) in 2025, but a new generation will be released locally in the second half of 2026. Above: Jeep Wagoneer S Confirmed for Australian release back in 2022, the Wagoneer S mid-size electric SUV and the more hardcore Jeep Recon EV, which is expected to launch in the US in November, now appear to be further out than 2026. "For now, we have new Compass coming second half of next year and will update you on the others closer to [launch]" said the Jeep Australia spokesperson. A new Cherokee mid-size SUV will be released late this year in the US but won't come to Australia, although mild-hybrid and perhaps 4xe all-wheel drive versions of Jeep's first EV, the Avenger, are expected to be sold here. MORE: Discover the Jeep showroom Content originally sourced from: Jeep has confirmed its big-bore 6.4-litre Hemi V8 will be offered in the Gladiator dual-cab pickup for the first time, as well as more widely across the Wrangler lineup. It comes after the lauded 5.7-litre Hemi V8 returned to the Ram 1500 pickup range following the relaxation of US fuel consumption and emissions regulations, with the supercharged 6.2-litre Hellcat V8 of the defunct TRX potentially returning next. The news is significant, given the Wrangler Rubicon 392 – a limited-edition model variant name that denotes its engine displacement in cubic inches – was expected to be discontinued after 2023, and had even received a Final Edition. Instead, Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf told US media late last week not only that the 6.4-litre 'Apache' V8 wasn't going anywhere, but would become more widely available across the Wrangler and, for the first time, Gladiator lineups – and potentially other Jeep model lines. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Jeep. Click here to get a great deal. Above: Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 "Jeep fans, don't worry, the 6.4-litre Hemi V8 will have a home at Jeep," he said. "After being out at the Rubicon Trail, it's clear just how much people love the roar of the 392. "We will extend the availability of the 392 Wrangler and, in fact, we will tap the power and performance of the Hemi across Jeep products as new projects are already underway." Jeep's global boss confirmed the Gladiator will also join the V8 club with its own Rubicon 392 variant, which should produce the same 336kW of power and 610Nm of torque as the Wrangler Rubicon 392. Above: Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf "Wrangler and Gladiator fans, and Hemi fans in general, don't worry – we got you," said Mr Broderdorf. However, it remains to be seen whether any V8 Jeeps will be sold in Australia, given the Wrangler Rubicon 392 is so far produced only in left-hand drive and the federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) is now applying penalties to auto brands that don't meet tightening CO2 emissions limits. "Nothing to announce on the 392s but will let you know if we do," a Jeep Australia spokesperson told CarExpert. Another handbrake in the chances of the V8-powered Wrangler or Gladiator coming to Australia is slowing sales of the former, with Wrangler sales down almost 47 per cent in the first half of this year. In response, Jeep Australia last month axed entry-level Sport S and mid-range Overland variants of the Wrangler, leaving only two-door and four-door versions of its flagship Rubicon trim remaining on sale here, priced slightly lower at $79,990 and $82,990 respectively in updated MY25 guise, before on-road costs. Meantime, the Gladiator dual-cab is available in just one flagship MY25 Rubicon variant that's also priced slightly lower at $82,990 plus on-roads, following a 16.6 per cent sale increase to June in 2025. Above: 2026 Jeep Compass However, the Gladiator remains Australia's slowest-selling pre-existing dual-cab 4×4 ute, with fewer than 200 examples sold so far this year. And Jeep Australia sales are down more than 19 per cent despite the Grand Cherokee increasing in popularity by more than 44 per cent to become its best-seller once again, at least until runout stocks are sold and the large SUV is discontinued in this market. Jeep Compass sales are down by more than two-thirds in one of the fastest growing segments (small SUV) in 2025, but a new generation will be released locally in the second half of 2026. Above: Jeep Wagoneer S Confirmed for Australian release back in 2022, the Wagoneer S mid-size electric SUV and the more hardcore Jeep Recon EV, which is expected to launch in the US in November, now appear to be further out than 2026. "For now, we have new Compass coming second half of next year and will update you on the others closer to [launch]" said the Jeep Australia spokesperson. A new Cherokee mid-size SUV will be released late this year in the US but won't come to Australia, although mild-hybrid and perhaps 4xe all-wheel drive versions of Jeep's first EV, the Avenger, are expected to be sold here. MORE: Discover the Jeep showroom Content originally sourced from:
