KP31 unveiled yesterday could be battery-assisted breakthrough rural NZ has been waiting for.

REGIONAL priority been given to a first-of-its-kind diesel utility from Chery has raised prospect of New Zealand being an early adopter.

Unveiling of the KP31 utility - not the model’s likely final name, just a internal code - was in Australia yesterday.

Though the four-door dual cab is still being identified as a concept, the brand said it could be on sale there before the end of this year.

The type’s attraction isn’t just the bold look; it’s delivering what would be a unique powertrain in New Zealand: A diesel plug-in hybrid.

There’s talk a sister model also with PHEV - but using a petrol engine in marriage - is also coming, but as a 2027 choice.

The latter is a match to the approach taken by the Ford Ranger, BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha.

Going diesel with PHEV is not new. Peugeot, for one, has dabbled with that in the New Zealand market, but in a road car.

However the practical pluses over petrol-wed unit are obvious; diesel is very much the preferred lifeblood of commercial and rural ute drivers.

Chery claims the KP31 will offer even greater range and much better fuel efficiency than a petrol PHEV; it could perhaps even outrun a trad diesel.

Frustratingly, it has yet to provision any data to support that claim. But logically, the diesel match up simply has to be more economical, even when the electric side is depleted to point of being effectively inactive, than the petrol-wed types here now, which often fall off a cliff for thrift once their engines have to toil in isolation.

Chery says it is targeting 47 percent thermal efficiency, a 10 per cent lighter weight and a 30 percent reduction in noise compared with other utes.

Importantly, too, the Chery ute has also been designed to tow 3500kg and carry a 1000kg payload to match.

Chery has indicated the styling it revealed in Sydney is as it will look in the showroom though the one out of the factory won’t be quite as long.

The concept KP31 measures 5610mm long, 1920mm wide and 1925mm in height. Chery told media at the reveal that the production edition will be 5450mm nose to stern.

That is still longer than Ranger or Toyota’s Hilux, which entertains as a hybrid but is barely than, as it runs nothing more than a 48 volt system.

The display KP31 has details such as grille lighting, pumped guards, off-road wheels with BF Goodrich off-road tyres and a configurable rack system for the tray.

The concept’s interior has suede and leather throughout, a huge touchscreen and digital driver’s display. The company cautioned attending media that the final interior design is yet to be decided on.