Chinese company Changan has launched a new version of the Hunter pickup truck. This Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) has a diesel engine, two electric motors and all-wheel drive.

Recently upgraded to a plug-in hybrid, the Hunter features a distinctly futuristic front design. T-shaped LED headlights flank a large, glossy black grille. The rear design remains largely unchanged from its predecessor. The body is a double-cab configuration, adorned with various chrome elements such as roof rails, door handles, and side step edges.

Inside, the Hunter boasts a layout with two integrated screens. Changan mentions driver assistance features but doesn’t specify which ones are included in this mid-sized pick-up.

The panoramic monitors alone are a significant upgrade compared to the Peugeot Landtrek or the Fiat Titano, which form the base of this Chinese vehicle. The cabin's aesthetics are comparable to a standard SUV, though most functions seem centralized on the main screen, despite some conventional controls below it.

Analyzing the new plug-in hybrid system, a unique feature is the combustion part of the drivetrain – a diesel engine rather than petrol. Specifically, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine with 190 hp, supported by two electric motors – one at each axle. The rear axle's electric motor provides all-wheel drive. The battery pack has a 31.2 kWh capacity, offering an electric range of 180 km.

The combined output of the three-engine system reaches 272 hp. The Hunter hybrid accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds. On electricity, the pick-up can travel 180 km, while the hybrid mode offers a range of 1031 km according to the CLTC cycle.

The Changan Hunter PHEV is available in China in 8 configurations. The simplest rear-wheel-drive version is priced at $19,500, the most affordable all-wheel-drive at $21,500. The top version is significantly more expensive at $30,500. Early buyers are promised a lifetime warranty on the powertrain.

Source: Changan

Евгений Ушаков
Evgenii Ushakov
15 years driving