Astara relaunching JAC Motors with five-car lineup for MIAS 2024
JAC Motors to feature five new models at MIAS 2024
Astara Philippines continues to expand its portfolio of car brands in the country. After acquiring the rights to distribute Peugeot, GAC, and JMC vehicles, their most recent addition is JAC Motors.
All four brands under the Astara umbrella will be present at this year’s Manila International Auto Show. And for JAC Motors in particular, Astara’s newest brand is eager to make some noise as they will showcase a five-car lineup. JAC Motors will bring in the JS4, JS6, and JS8 Pro crossovers, along with the T8 Pro and T9 pickup trucks.
The JAC JS4 is the brand’s entrant to the subcompact crossover class, where it’s set to compete with the likes of the Chery Tiggo 5X Pro, GAC GS3 Emzoom, Geely Coolray, GWM Haval Jolion, and the MG ZST. In its previous distributor, the JS4 comes with a 1.5-liter turbo engine that makes 147 PS and 210 Nm of torque paired to a CVT.
Prices started at a little over PHP 1 million under the previous distributor, but we reckon Astara could offer more competitive pricing for the JS4 under their distributorship.
Meanwhile, the JAC JS6 serves as the brand’s flagship crossover in the country. At around 4.6 meters long, the JS6 will compete with the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, Ford Territory, and GAC Emkoo in the compact crossover segment. Much like the JS4, it’s powered by a 1.5-liter turbo engine but makes more power at 181 PS and delivers 280 Nm of torque. Furthermore, the engine is mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission.
JAC’s biggest crossover offering will be the JS8 Pro. Measuring around 4.8 meters long, the JS8 Pro is slightly bigger than the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro and the Jetour X70. It shares its powertrain with the JS6, but the JS8 Pro gets an extra row of seats at the back that makes it a 7-seater.
On the other hand, JAC will introduce two pick-up trucks at this year’s MIAS called the T8 Pro and the T9. While both may look to share similar components, the two pick-up trucks have distinct designs in front and serve different purposes. JAC says the T8 Pro is designed as an urban workhorse with its 4x2 drivetrain while the T9 is likely to get the go-anywhere capabilities of a 4x4.
We recently got information that JAC has received approval for a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbodiesel, which could find its way under the hood of both the T8 Pro and the T9. The turbodiesel unit generates 170 PS and 410 Nm of torque and is paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox.
Exact pricing and more information on JAC's models shall be available once we draw closer to the 2024 Manila International Auto Show that’s happening from April 4 to 7.
