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A blacked-out edition of the MG U9 diesel ute is likely weeks away from showrooms following the information released at the Melbourne motor show.
The 2026 MG U9 Black Edition could enter Australian showrooms very soon, following its debut at the Melbourne motor show, with the Chinese brand opening expressions of interest on its website.
While the new model features exterior changes such as darkening of chrome accents, it is yet to be confirmed how much of a premium the Black Edition will add over the standard U9.
It is also unclear if there are any other specification changes to the Black Edition, but it looks to mix-and-match across the three-variant U9 line-up.
The wheels look to be the base model's alloys, but painted dark grey, while the two-step tailgate is taken from the top-spec Explore Pro.
Other changes include a blacked-out grille and badges.
The standard MG U9 diesel ute is powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine, which produces 160kW and 520Nm. Power is put through an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, with locking front and rear differentials, and independent suspension all around.
Unlike most other diesel utes on sale in Australia, where the cab and tray are separate elements mounted to the chassis, the MG U9 uses a unibody construction where the cabin and tub are integrated.
Unlike the top-spec Explore Pro that has a 'smart access hatch' option, where the seats can be folded to extend the cabin through the tub adding an extra 400 litres of capacity, the Black Edition presented in press photos does not have this feature.
Inside, the U9 has a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an eight-speaker JBL sound system, and safety features that include autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and change assist, and blind spot detection.
There is also a driver monitoring system, front and rear collision alert, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, reverse camera, speed sign recognition, and a 360-degree camera as standard.
The MG U9 starts at $52,990 drive-away for the Explore, while the Explore X and top-spec Explore Pro are positioned at $55,990 and $60,990, respectively.
It can be expected that the Black Edition will cost slightly more than the standard ute, but it hasn't been confirmed which grade it will be based on.
Little else is known about the MG U9 Black Edition, but more details are expected to be released soon, according to the brand's media release.
