AS THE Chinese language ute invasion Down Below gathers tempo, one more entrant has been tagged native testing by an eagle-eyed GoAuto reader, this time in Hawksburn, Victoria.
It’s the Jiangling Motors Company’s (JMC) Dadao medium-large dual-cab pick-up – a good-looking, boxy trying beast that, given its look on our streets, could be thought of a powerful contender for native consumption doubtless as quickly as subsequent yr.
The Dadao nameplate was solely launched in March 2023 and can be a part of a plethora of different Chinese language utes right here already or slated for arrival in 2025; most out there with a selection of powertrains together with petrol, diesel, hybrid and/or electrical.
JAC’s T9 is right here now as is the BYD Shark 6 hybrid with extra on the way in which.
JMC, which has ties to Ford and Isuzu, additionally manufactures a variety of small/medium vehicles, vans and one other ute known as the Vigus in numerous configs together with a BEV model.
However new beaut ute competitors in Oz might be fierce in 2025 as most Chinese language manufacturers GoAuto has spoken to indicating they’ve a ute within the pipeline (or need one), that means the house will certainly warmth up… for all contenders.
The JMC Dadao (also referred to as the JMC Grand Avenue in some markets) is analogous in measurement and look to the GWM Cannon Alpha with 2WD or selectable 4WD.
It’s powered by a Ford-sourced 2.3-litre Ecoboost four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine or a 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, out there with the selection of an eight-speed ZF-sourced computerized transmission or Magna (Getrag) sourced six-speed handbook, relying on the grade.
The latter holds some irony given the transmission in Ford’s Mustang EcoBoost bought right here (with the identical engine because the Dadao) makes use of a much less efficient 10-speed computerized that doesn’t fairly gel with the automobile. If solely we might have the eight-speed unit…
The Dadao’s diesel engine is alleged to be good for 130kW/450Nm, consuming gas at a claimed mixed price of seven.8 litres per 100km whereas the petrol is nice for 180kW/400Nm registering 8.8L/100km in mixed cycle testing.
All variants have an 80-litre gas tank.
Drive is apportioned in four-wheel drive variants through a Borg Warner dual-range system providing high and low vary gearing and a locking centre differential.
The 4WD dual-cab, doubtless short-listed for native consumption, is off-road succesful offering a aggressive method angle of 30 levels, departure of 26 levels, floor clearance of 235mm, and a wading depth of 800mm.
Alloy wheels below squared-off wheel arches are 17 inches in diameter with 18-inch alloys optionally out there.
The corporate’s web site lists a complete array of options (and variants) in 2WD and 4WD with two out there inside colors (black and gray).
The five-seat mannequin has a multi-function wheel, giant central infotainment touchscreen, keyless ignition, and quite a few storage compartments. The Dadao can be outfitted with a beneficiant quantity of security and at present out there ADAS applied sciences.
Different options embody commonplace air-conditioning or local weather management with rear vents, four-speaker audio, Apple and Android connectivity, paddle shifters on computerized grades, leather-style upholstery, and a rear-view digital camera.
Using on a ladder body chassis, the JCM Dadao options four-wheel disc brakes – 334mm entrance and 337mm rear – double wishbone coil suspension on the entrance and leaf springs and a dwell axle down the again. Unusually, the mannequin makes use of hydraulic steering and never the in-vogue electrically assisted set-up.
It weighs between 1970kg and 2070kg (mannequin dependent), tows 3500kg and encompasses a load mattress able to carting as much as 1.35 cubic metres.
There isn’t any indication out there as to who will distribute the JMC vary in Australia. Keep tuned for extra data quickly.
