The chassis modifications developed in Australia for the JAC Hunter PHEV plug-in hybrid electric vehicle may establish the export standard for markets where the dual-cab ute is offered.

The JAC Hunter PHEV launched for sale in Australia this week, with orders accepted ahead of initial deliveries slated for July.

The production model incorporates a bespoke chassis calibration crafted by former Holden engineer Michael Barber, backed by over 50,000km of testing on Australian roads and at the ex-Holden Lang Lang proving ground.

Three weeks of domestic evaluation preceded a week in China, where JAC reviewed the finalized tuning and collaborated with suppliers to implement it for Australian Hunter PHEVs.

“There was discussion in China about whether certain changes were truly needed,” Mr Barber conceded.

“It is challenging to produce unique parts for one model, but I was impressed by the reception. JAC China endorsed every change I recommended, and they are now integrated into the vehicle.”

These updates hold major potential for JAC Motors Australia, which invited local journalists for the first non-Chinese drive of the Hunter PHEV - with the Australian suspension setup eyed for other export destinations.

While unconfirmed officially, JAC Motors Australia has shared that the local tuning is being evaluated for use in additional countries.

Dual-cab utes face high demands for towing and payload performance - 3500kg braked towing and 915kg payload in the Hunter PHEV - making precise calibration essential.

“Each vehicle has distinct priorities, and we emphasize the primary ones - but high-payload utes, where payload significantly outpaces kerb weight, demand rigorous tuning,” Mr Barber explained.

“Bump isolation proves difficult, load handling complex, and in larger models, isolation grows harder - as does load management, especially prioritizing durability.”

Mr Barber noted Australia’s singular tuning challenges: low population density across vast road networks with extended travel distances, where repairs patch rather than replace surfaces.

These factors amplify driver fatigue, rendering vehicle dynamics vital for safe travel. Simpler handling equates to greater safety.

The ex-Holden specialist, now Multimatic’s technical director for vehicle dynamics in the UK, worked from a JAC-supplied ‘library’ of parts to refine the setup.

This ranged from varied spring rates and dampers - including internals - to anti-roll bars, bushings, tire pressure adjustments, and alternative mounting positions.

“I enjoy testing new damper settings to push performance further,” he remarked.

“We completed around 72 damper rebuilds.”

“The process boosted vertical dynamics for better compliance and control, lateral dynamics for steering and handling, hub and wheel control for road grip, and ride comfort.”

JAC follows a trend of localized tuning, akin to GWM’s chassis work on various SUVs, increasingly common for dual-cab utes.

The updated Nissan Navara employs a suspension tune from Premcar, the Melbourne firm responsible for Nissan Patrol Warrior and Navara Warrior off-road variants.

Premcar also tuned the steering and suspension for Australia’s Mitsubishi Triton Raider.

The current Ford Ranger - Australia’s top seller - was fully designed and engineered by Ford Australia.

The Ranger and Everest SUV share development roots in Ford’s Broadmeadows engineering hub and You Yangs Proving Ground in Lara, Victoria.