JAC T9 2026: Newcomer Chinese ute expands offerings with new range-topper and cab-chassis to battle affordable LDV T60, GWM Cannon, and KGM Musso rivals

5 days ago

Lukas Foyle

Contributor

Two new crew cabs and flagship Osprey trim grade to join the JAC T9 dual-cab ute family imminently

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New-kid Chinese specialty ute brand JAC has confirmed it will expand the local range of its sole T9 dual-cab model with the introduction of a range-topping Osprey grade and two trim levels of an all-new cab-chassis body. 

The cab-chassis body, a first for JAC, will keep the four door dual-cab body seen on existing T9 models, but will replace its conventional tub with a flat alloy tray, which JAC says can support a payload of 1165kg (excluding the weight of the tray). 

So far, JAC has confirmed two model variants of T9 cab-chassis; the base Tradepro and once-base Oasis, which remains the lowest specification for tub-trayed T9 models.

It is unclear whether the flat tray, pictured in JAC’s marketing material, is included with the T9 cab-chassis, with JAC pitching the body as a ‘blank canvas’ ideal for a fitout of ‘a service body, custom toolboxes, or a specialised equipment’ fitout.

Introducing more variety to the T9 model range will no doubt drive sales of the model, particularly in the fleet market, helping the dual-cab newcomer to find a footing against a constantly growing list of cheap rivals.

That growing list is headlined by China’s $45,253 LDV T60, $34,490 GWM Cannon, and soon-to-launch $39,990 Foton Tunland, while Korea offers a cut-price KGM Musso for $40,140. All prices listed are before on-road costs.

To add fuel to the fire, JAC is additionally offering reduced-price drive-away deals on its current MY24 stock of Oasis and Haven T9s up to October 31st. Those models have been dropped from $42,662 and $45,630 before on-roads to $39,990 and $43,990 drive-away, respectively. 

Meanwhile, at the other end of the scale, JAC’s new Osprey grade adds additional equipment over the once flagship T9 Haven. Predominant enhancements include a power sunroof and a ‘premium suspension tune’ – what that entails is not yet known. 

Optioning further to the Osprey X will additionally add blacked-out features on its exterior, darkening the style of the front badge, wheels, roof bars, wing mirrors, door handles and side-vent surrounds.

Premium, yet affordable, rivals to the T9 Osprey include the soon-to-release $52,990 MG U9, $53,674 LDV Terron 9, and the quirky $64,900 Deepal E07 Multitruck.

JAC claims the Osprey’s 980kg payload limit has been intentionally engineered to keep it below the one-tonne novated leasing ceiling – a critical element for enticing fleet buyers.

Regardless of trim level or body, all T9 models will continue to be powered by a125kW/410Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine mated to a conventional eight-speed automatic and competent four-wheel-drive system.

Pricing and further specifications for both cab-chassis T9 models, as well as the range topping tub-trayed Osprey grade, are yet to be revealed. JAC claims these details will be revealed closer to the launch date of the models, which is one month away.

BMW i4 2026: Revised single-grade EV lineup confirmed as luxurious German alternative to Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2 and BYD Seal

6 days ago

Lukas Foyle

Contributor

Sole eDrive35 variant to lead next year’s i4 blitzkrieg following the success and subsequent stock depletion of MY25 models

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BMW’s most successful EV and Chasing Cars’ 2024 Best EV +$80K-plus will return for MY26, exclusively in eDrive35 guise and with an improved standard equipment list. 

The i4 has seen huge success in the Australian EV market, with MY25 stock depleting months before the end of the calendar year. Originally introduced in 2022, BMW has sold 3340 i4 EVs up to September ‘25 — 2523 of those sales were eDrive35s. 

All-new MY26 stock of the i4 will be available to purchase locally by the end of 2025, says BMW, pushing an additional 18 kilometres of range to now total 448km (ADR testing standard), a standard-equipment M-Sport package, front seat heating and a glass sunroof. 

This luxury does come at a premium, with the i4 eDrive35 now $88,900 before on-road costs, up from $85,900. Crucially, this avoids the current fuel-efficient vehicle Luxury Car Tax threshold of $91,387. 

To add icing on the cake (or, perhaps, the sauerkraut to the bratwurst) the Bavarian EV is inherently eligible for fringe benefit tax exemptions if purchased under a novated lease. 

Undoubtedly the i4 medium electric sedan remains a peg above more conventional, price conscious rivals, predominantly the segment leading $54,900 Tesla Model 3, runner up $46,990 BYD Seal, and left-of-field $62,400 Polestar 2. Prices are before on-road costs.

So what does $88,900 actually get you over last year’s eDrive35? 

Beginning with the standard M-Sport package, the MY26 i4 eDrive35 adds new 18-inch M-Sport wheels, front apron, side skirts, a revised rear bar and diffuser, a new signature kidney grille design, and new headlights outside, and a new flat-bottomed ‘M’ leather steering wheel inside. 

The interior further benefits from front seat heating, an electric glass sunroof, and a new ‘operating concept’ (revised user interface) for the climate control system.

Under the skin, the eDrive35 remains relatively unchanged. BMW says the substitution for silicon carbide semiconductor components has reduced energy consumption by 4.5 percent, which accounts for an additional 18km of range over the previous model year’s 430km figure.

Else, the i4 is identical to the previous, featuring a 66.4kWh (net) lithium-ion battery, 400-volt electronic architecture, and a rear-axle electric motor, which produces 210kW/400Nm.

AC charging peaks at 11kW, taking seven hours to charge from empty, while rapid DC charging from 10-80 percent takes 32 minutes with a 180kW peak. 

Equipment and options

Stand-out equipment for the 2026 BMW i4 eDrive35 includes:

• 18-inch ‘M’ alloy wheels
• Three-zone climate control
• Heads-up display
• Heated power adjust front seats
• Electric adjust glass sunroof
• 10-speaker sound system
• LED headlights
• M Sport cosmetic package (interior and exterior)
• Wireless device charger
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Powered bootlid

Options for the 2026 BMW i4 eDrive35 are:

• $2000 Metallic paint with a choice of:
  • Black Sapphire
  • Mineral white
  • M Portimao Blue
  • M Brooklyn Grey
  • Cape York Green
  • Fire Red
• $2100 19-inch lightweight alloy wheels
• $2100 19-inch ‘M’ aerodynamic wheels
• $5000 20-inch BMW ‘Individual’ aerodynamic wheels