Chery KP31: The Diesel Hybrid Pickup Coming to Australia This Year

Chery KP31 arrives in Australia later this year: a dual-cab pickup with a turbo diesel engine and plug-in hybrid drivetrain, with little official information released.

Chery Automotive revealed the KP31, a concept pickup with a plug-in hybrid propulsion system powered by diesel, aimed at the Australian market. The production version is expected to arrive in Australian dealerships later this year, although power and torque figures remain confidential for now.

Visually, the KP31 bears great similarity to the Rely P3X, presented in China last year. The design features a flat front end, round headlights, plastic protection around the wheel arches, and a raised cabin. Completing the setup are a snorkel, 285/70 R17 tires, and a cargo rack with recovery tracks.

Lucas Harris, COO of Chery Australia, emphasizes that offering a diesel PHEV in the dual-cab ute class is a milestone, which should be the main differentiator against the competition.

Specifications Already Released

• 2.5-liter, four-cylinder turbo engine with a diesel plug-in hybrid system
• Up to 10% efficiency improvement compared to the average of diesel powertrains
• Thermal efficiency of 47%
• 30% reduction in vibrations
• Announced dimensions: 5,610 mm in length, 1,920 mm in width, and 1,925 mm in height; the production version is expected to be slightly smaller (approx. 5,450 mm)
• Towing capacity of 7,700 pounds and payload of 2,205 pounds
• A gasoline plug-in hybrid version is expected in 2027, with no further details released

Arrival in Australia

The brand signals that the KP31 will arrive in Australian stores in the fourth quarter of this year. Full specifications, including price and final name, will be released closer to the launch date.

Market opinion: Although the combined torque of a diesel PHEV is seen as a viable option for pickups — with performance for off-road and heavy work — this is another model that, for now, is not expected to reach the US.

Invitation to Read

What do you think of the KP31? Would you invest in a plug-in hybrid diesel pickup for daily use and off-road? Leave your opinion in the comments below.