Pickup trucks are no longer synonymous solely with construction sites. When a pickup drives like an SUV, functions like an electric vehicle, and hauls like a traditional truck, its very definition is rewritten.
For most people, the term "pickup truck" conjures images of rugged, heavy-duty workhorses—vehicles that are durable but also fuel-hungry, uncomfortable to sit in, and cumbersome to drive. The Dongfeng Z9 GE PHEV aims to shatter these stereotypes. As a plug-in hybrid pickup, it offers a pure-electric range of 135 kilometers, a combined torque of 800 N·m, and a fuel consumption of 6.9 liters per 100 km when running in hybrid mode (with a depleted battery). Beyond its performance, it features Nappa leather seats, a 14.6-inch central touchscreen, L2-level driver-assistance systems, and a rear floor that folds completely flat—transforming into a bed. While such amenities might be common in passenger sedans, their presence in a pickup truck creates an entirely new breed of vehicle.
1. Efficiency: 0.1 Yuan per Kilometer, Without Compromising Power
For pickup truck owners, the most critical metric isn't "0–100 km/h acceleration time," but rather "cost per kilometer." The Z9 GE PHEV utilizes a hybrid architecture consisting of an engine, a generator, and a drive motor. The engine does not drive the wheels directly; instead, it functions as a generator and provides power during high-speed cruising, while the drive motor handles acceleration and daily driving. By using electric power at low speeds and the engine at high speeds, each component operates where it is most efficient.
The results are clear: with a 135 km pure-electric range, a single weekly charge is sufficient for daily commuting. In hybrid mode (with a depleted battery), it consumes 6.9 liters of fuel per 100 km—30% to 40% less than comparable gasoline-powered pickups. With an operating cost as low as 0.1 yuan per kilometer, it remains highly economical for both long-distance travel and urban commuting.
Crucially, this hybrid system does not come at the expense of power. With a combined torque of 800 N·m, the vehicle maintains robust performance when climbing hills under a full load and accelerates briskly even when carrying heavy cargo. With a drag coefficient of 0.37cd and an engine thermal efficiency of 47.06%, it ranks among the best in its class. In short: it’s as economical to drive daily as an electric vehicle, yet it retains ample power reserves for heavy-duty hauling or long-distance travel.
2. Comfort: A pickup cabin you’ll actually want to drive every day
Traditional pickup truck interiors have long been defined by a "bare-minimum" philosophy—hard plastics, upright seatbacks, and cramped rear rows that leave you with a sore back and numb legs after a long drive. The Z9 GE PHEV takes a completely different approach: it designs its cabin to the standards of an SUV.
Comfort is the top priority. It features 12-way power-adjustable Nappa leather seats with lumbar support—a premium specification typically found in high-end SUVs, appearing here in a pickup for the first time. Long-distance driving is no longer an endurance test; it’s genuinely comfortable. The rear cabin boasts a completely flat floor—a rarity in this segment—along with seven different seating configurations. This provides generous legroom for passengers, a large, flat cargo surface when the seats are folded down, and even a makeshift bed for weekend camping. One vehicle covers it all: daily commuting, family travel, and cargo transport.
Smart features are equally impressive. A 14.6-inch 2.5K central touchscreen supports dual-zone voice control (for both the driver and front passenger) and recognizes over 3,000 voice commands. For instance, if the front passenger asks to "open the window," the system won't accidentally trigger the driver’s navigation settings. It even supports regional dialects, making it highly accessible for diverse linguistic regions. A 540° "transparent chassis" view, combined with Level 2 driver-assistance systems, makes navigating potholes, unpaved roads, and parking maneuvers far easier than in a conventional pickup. The cargo bed is equipped with a power-operated rear step, and an optional motorized tonneau cover is available—eliminating the need to climb into the bed for loading or struggle with manual covers.
Taken together, these features send a clear message: this isn't just a utilitarian vehicle you "make do" with; it’s a family-friendly vehicle you’ll genuinely look forward to driving every single day.
3. Safety: Triple-Layer Protection—Securing Everything from the Vehicle Body to the Battery
Those considering a hybrid pickup truck often share a common concern: Is the battery safe? After all, pickup trucks are used in much more demanding environments than passenger cars—hauling cargo, driving through water, navigating rough terrain, or climbing steep slopes. If the battery were to be struck or scraped, the repair costs would be significant. The Z9 GE PHEV addresses this with a triple-layer protection system—passive, active, and battery-specific—with each layer reinforcing the next.
The first layer is a robust vehicle body. High-strength steel accounts for 70% of the structure, with a peak tensile strength of 1500 MPa and a torsional rigidity exceeding 20,000 Nm/deg. What does this mean in practice? Even after years of driving on bumpy roads, the body remains solid, the doors continue to open and close smoothly, and the chassis stays free of unusual rattles or squeaks.
The second layer consists of comprehensive active safety features. The system includes Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) capable of detecting pedestrians and cyclists, along with 13 other intelligent safety technologies—such as Rear Cross-Traffic Braking (RCTB) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)—ensuring the vehicle meets a five-star standard for crashworthiness. It’s not just about being able to withstand an impact; it’s about preventing one from happening in the first place.
The third—and most critical—layer is the battery protection. The battery utilizes a "360° Safe+" design, positioned 695 mm above the ground and encased in a protective perimeter cross-beam structure. It boasts a wading depth of 800 mm. To put that into perspective, most mid-size SUVs have a wading depth of around 500 mm; the Z9 GE PHEV’s battery protection level rivals that of dedicated, rugged off-road vehicles. Whether you’re crossing water or traversing rough terrain, the battery is the last thing you need to worry about.
The significance of this triple-layer protection is that it transforms "safety concerns" regarding a PHEV pickup into "peace of mind."
The criteria for what defines a "good" pickup truck are being redefined. In the past, the focus was solely on "how much it can haul" and "how much abuse it can take." Today, users are asking: "Is it tiring to drive? Is it expensive to maintain? Is it comfortable to sit in?" The Z9 GE PHEV delivers on three fronts: a running cost of just 0.10 RMB per kilometer, cabin comfort comparable to an SUV, and a triple-layered safety system covering everything from the vehicle structure to the battery. It makes no compromises on standards simply because it is a pickup truck, nor does it sacrifice power for the sake of its hybrid powertrain. Whether for family use, commercial purposes, or cost-efficiency—this vehicle excels in all these areas simultaneously.
— Seetoone (GCMOTOR) welcomes inquiries from domestic and international distributors.