Is Changan PH launching turbo-diesel Hunter pickup in 2025?

Changan Auto Philippines Inc. (CAPI) wowed everyone last year at the 2024 Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) when they previewed the Hunter RE-EV. Combining the best features of a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), the pickup truck can travel over 1,000 km on a full tank of gas and a fully charged 31.18 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery pack.

The result is a total system output of 268 PS and 470 Nm of torque for the dual-motor variant. A single-motor version also makes 174 PS and 320 Nm of pull. However, the automaker believes there is still room for a traditional turbo-diesel pickup truck.

Remember when Changan Auto Philippines Inc. got approval for a light-duty vehicle with a 1950cc diesel-powered engine? Well, after nearly a year, it looks like the brand is gearing up to launch it this year. Speaking with an executive who's familiar with the matter, they shared that while it took some time to have it ready, there's a high possibility the diesel-powered Hunter could be launched this year.

But what can we expect once Changan officially launches it this 2025? For starters, it will look slightly different compared to the Hunter RE-EV. Based on what other markets get, those with a keen eye may immediately notice that it looks like the Peugeot Landtrek. That's because the French automaker actually based its pickup on the Changan Hunter which is also sold as the Kaicene F70.

Under the hood, the Hunter is powered by a 1.9L turbo-diesel engine that produces 152 PS and 350 Nm of torque. Depending on the variant, it can be mated to either a 6-speed manual transmission from Getrag or a 6-speed automatic gearbox. It's also available either as a 4x2 or a 4x4 pickup truck.

There's no clear timeline yet for when the automaker plans to launch it. However, it could make its debut in Q2 of this year, and it could also make its big debut at the 2025 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS).

Could the Changan Hunter give other pickup truck markets something to think about? Let us know in the comments.