JAC’s sleek supercar suggests EVs are in the offing

Locally JAC is known for its T9 ute and heavy commercial vehicles. So its DE-FINE concept electric supercar seems way out of left field.

The four-door concept car was first outed last year. It suggested an interest in becoming an electric vehicle producer. 

Well now JAC has confirmed this concept car is making its way Down Under. CarExpert says it is going on display in Melbourne on April 5-6. 

Underpinning the DE-FINE is an 800v electrical platform, with a 460kW electric motor powering two or four wheels.

The company reckons it can complete the rush to 100 from stopped in “around three seconds”. 

Evidently the DE-FINE is based on JAC’s “Cross-Domain Integration Intelligent Chassis”. This is capable of supporting hybrid powertrains as well as “rechargeable and exchangeable energy sources”, suggesting battery-swapping technology.

Styling features include a swoopy windscreen that extends into the roof, and cameras for external rear view mirrors. It has a low to the ground stance, bulging rear haunches, a sizeable diffuser and a discrete spoiler.  

Inside, there’s room for four passengers, those in the back accessing the cabin by rear hinged doors. The luggage space is accessed by a large liftback.

A substantial 50-inch panoramic screen stretches across the dash, while there’s a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen for the front occupants. The driver sits behind an almost rectangular steering wheel.

As yet, there are no plans to put the DE-FINE into production but clearly JAC has electric aspirations down the line.

For the time being here, there’s the T9 ute selling for $49,990 plus on-roads (see the April issue of NZ Autocar for a full review).