The pickup truck market in China has always been a lucrative sector for car manufacturers to compete for customers. Among them, many domestic brands have tried to create unique and distinctive models, such as the world’s first EREV powertrain on a pickup truck called the Changan Hunter.
Chinese car brand Changan announced last year that it was investing 6 trillion VND in Thailand to build a plant, with the aim of exporting to many countries, including Vietnam. And to enhance its attractiveness, on March 1, 2024, Changan officially launched the unique pickup truck model called the Hunter.
Changan Hunter Price
First showcased at the Guangzhou Auto Show last year, Changan affirmed that this is the world’s first extended-range EV (EREV) pickup truck.
There are 8 versions of the Changan Hunter for you to choose from, with prices starting from 139,900 RMB (19,450 USD), equivalent to 456 million VND, and going up to 216,900 RMB (31,150 USD), about 708 million VND.
Exterior Design
The Changan Hunter is the first long-range electric pickup truck from Changan Automobile. The new vehicle has a rugged exterior, highlighted by bold styling cues from movie robots, and significantly improved headlight design, with vertical headlights and perfect sharp LED lights.
In terms of vehicle dimensions, the new pickup has two versions: standard and extended. The dimensions of the standard version are 5380x1930x1885mm, with a wheelbase of 3180mm. The dimensions of the extended version are 5630x1930x1885mm, with a wheelbase of 3430mm. The differences in dimensions between the pickups are evident in the cargo bed.
The cargo bed dimensions for the standard version are 1600x1595x500mm, while the dimensions for the extended version are 1850x1595x500mm.
In addition to the usual scratch and corrosion resistant paint, the Changan Hunter is also equipped with a power outlet function, allowing you to power various devices such as computers, electric stoves, and lights with a power output of up to 3.3 kW during outdoor activities.
The Changan Hunter pickup truck has an approach angle of up to 29° and a departure angle of up to 27°. The high ground clearance means it has a solid and rugged appearance suitable for real off-road capabilities, although its load capacity is quite low at 495 kg.
The step for accessing the cargo bed features an additional function that allows it to be opened in sections, making it more convenient for entering and exiting the cargo bed. Some pickup truck models are equipped with manually adjustable roll-up doors, which not only serve as wind and rain shields but also have anti-theft functions when closed, forming a sealed space for the pickup truck bed.
Interior
The simple shape of the interior is reminiscent of the design of a modern energy-utilizing vehicle, and the materials used are relatively sophisticated.
Depending on the price, the Changan Hunter pickup truck offers a cruise control system, Amap navigation, steering assist lights, rain sensor windshield wipers, voice control, OTA software upgrade, leather-wrapped steering wheel, LCD dashboard, 40W wireless charging, leather seats, 4/6 speakers, rear air outlet, etc.
In terms of seating space, individuals with a height of 1.8m still have a certain amount of legroom after adjusting the driver’s seat position for both the front and rear rows. Average-sized adults need not worry about head clearance, as the floor is slightly elevated between the seats after the cargo bed is filled. The longitudinal space is also not small, allowing passengers to move around to a certain extent.
Delving into the entertainment features, the Changan Hunter pickup truck is quite modern with a dual-screen setup similar to cars, consisting of a 7.5-inch instrument cluster and a 12-inch infotainment system.
Powertrain
For the electric powertrain system, the Changan Hunter employs the JL486ZQ6 2.0T engine as a range extender, with a maximum net power of 140 kW, equivalent to 188 horsepower. It’s worth noting that this gasoline engine only serves as a generator, allowing the vehicle to achieve impressive battery charging capabilities.
As for the drivetrain, the rear-wheel drive version of the Changan Hunter uses a 130 kW motor, while the all-wheel drive version uses a combination of a 70kW and a 130kW dual-motor setup.
The Changan Hunter pickup truck is equipped with a 31.18kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack, enabling it to achieve a pure electric driving range of 180 km according to the Chinese CLTC test cycle and a total driving range of over 1,000 km.
Thanks to the advantages of electric propulsion, the Changan Hunter has sufficient torque, smooth acceleration, quick overtaking ability, and still maintains fuel efficiency. The NVH performance, which is often criticized in commercial vehicles, has also been effectively addressed.
Competitors
The Changan Hunter has almost no direct competitors in the market. Most of the existing models are pure electric vehicles, such as the Great Wall Cannon, SAIC Maxus T70 EV, Radar RD6… However, these pure electric pickup trucks face significant challenges.
Radar RD6
Great Wall Cannon
Specifically, the price of the pure electric vehicles is relatively high due to the large battery capacity, ranging from 200,000 RMB to 300,000 RMB, which equals 653 million VND to 980 million VND. The Radar RD6 is slightly cheaper and comes with a load-bearing body.
In the pickup truck segment, where toughness is the rule, it certainly seems a bit unusual. Therefore, the Changan Hunter has no direct rivals in its class and can be considered as a unique and affordable electric pickup truck.
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