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The Citizen
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
JAC T9 bakkie sets new SA 24-hour endurance record
Chinese automaker JAC Motors has become the latest to set a South African record. This comes after its T9 2l CTi bakkie lapped the Gerotek testing facility for 24 hours, covering 4 084km. The previous record was set by Isuzu in 2010, but JAC Motors reported that this was a far less co-ordinated effort, using just one vehicle and a small support grew. Looking for a new or used JAC? Find it here with CARmag! Behind the wheel were four experienced racing drivers – Michele Habig, Setshaba Mashigo, Phillip Kekana and Daniel Barbosa – all of who are also driving instructors. Despite not having a dedicated pit team or advanced refuelling systems, the team pushed through with minimal delays, relying on the T9's consistency and strength. Related: JAC T9 Plug-in Hybrid Bakkie SA Launch Date Confirmed Isuzu's record, also set at Gerotek, stood at 4 063km, with an average speed of 169.3km/h using its KB300 TDi. Before that, Toyota held the record with its Hilux, reaching 3 818km at an average of 159.1km/h in 2003. JAC's T9 has now outpaced both in 2025, with the Chinese automaker stating that the T9's 2l turbo-diesel engine operated superlatively. The bakkie maintained high speeds for over 1 350 laps of the circuit, with an average fuel consumption of 16.5l/100 km. It ran on Continental CrossContact ATR tyres and used Engen's 10W40 CK-4 full synthetic oil, which has recently been rolled out across JAC's vehicle line-up to improve thermal stability and reduce engine wear. JAC Motors South Africa CEO Karl-Heinz Göbel says the record is more than just a bragging point — it's a real-world demonstration of the brand's reliability. Since arriving in South Africa in 2017, JAC has built a network of over 70 dealers across Southern Africa and now supports its T9 with a five-year/200 000km warranty and a five-year/100 000km service plan. Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! The post JAC T9 Bakkie Runs Non-Stop for 4 084 km to Set New SA 24-Hour Endurance Record appeared first on CAR Magazine. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
TimesLIVE
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
JAC T9 2.0L CTi smashes South African 24-hour endurance record
A JAC T9 2.0L CTi double cab bakkie has broken the South African 24-hour endurance record for commercial vehicles, covering 4,084km at an average speed of 170.1km/h. The feat took place on April 12-13 at the Gerotek testing centre near Pretoria and beat Isuzu's 2010 record, set at the same venue with a KB300 TDi that averaged 169.3km/h over 4,063km. The JAC was driven around Gerotek's oval track by four racing drivers: Michele Habig, Setshaba Mashigo, Phillip Kekana and Daniel Barbosa. The 24-hour endurance challenge was the brainchild of adventurer Danie Botha from Wild in South Africa. 'The idea was to have a bit of fun with the IndyCar races in the US, while giving the motoring public a glimpse into the thrilling world of endurance racing, unofficially attempting to break a 15-year-old record using just one T9 over 24 hours,' he said. The 24-endurance challenge proved JAC Motors' reliability and that its vehicles were as tough and reliable as any established brand, said Karl-Heinz Göbel, CEO of JAC Motors SA. 'Buyers ask four key questions about Chinese vehicles: Are they reliable, are parts supply consistent, how many dealerships support after-sales service and what trade-in value can you expect when it is time to sell in a few years,' said Göbel. JAC ticked all the boxes after eight years of local trading, he said, building a network of more than 70 dealers across Southern Africa and delivering consistent parts supply to more than 7,000 customers. The JAC T9 was launched in South Africa in late 2023 in a four-model double cab range, including 4x4 and 4x2 variants, all powered by a four-cylinder 2.0 l turbodiesel engine with outputs of 125kW and 410Nm. Göbel said the record-breaking T9 covered more than 4,000km at full speed, with an average fuel consumption of 16.5 l /100km. The vehicle used in the 24-hour endurance challenge is on display at the Nampo agricultural show in Bothaville from May 13-16.
