Jetour T1 road test: Versatile vehicle taking over UAE highways has style and substance
Any Gulf resident with even a mild interest in motoring – and many with even less – will be familiar with the Jetour brand.
Among the many car companies making their forays into world markets in recent years, the Chinese manufacturer can claim to have made an especially significant impact in the Emirates.
One of the brand's key offerings now gracing the UAE's highways and byways is the T1, a vehicle that combines the rugged aesthetics of tough off-roaders with the around-town sophistication that would be expected at the more genial end of the spectrum.
The car, sometimes referred to as the Traveler, seems to have been designed specifically to appeal to those seeking a versatile vehicle for both city commutes and light off-road excursions. An urban SUV, or, as parent company Chery would say, an off-roader lite.
While it is not unusual for manufacturers providing cars of this ilk, Jetour has done a good job visually with the T1, making it appear familiar yet still distinctive. It is noticeably different to its significantly tougher-looking sibling, the T2.
That said, it's not all about prettiness. The T1 retains a boxy, commanding presence, all encompassed within an appealing shape that was created by former Porsche designer Hakan Saracoglu.
Its look incorporates a series of sharp angles set off by LED matrix headlights with distinctive daytime running lamps, accompanied by bold alloy wheels in both 18 and 19-inch formats.
The T1 is smart-looking. Taking it for a test drive, it quickly becomes clear the model isn't about style over substance. That much is immediately evident when entering the cabin.
The T1 feels just as at home on the roads as those piloting the region's far more well-entrenched SUVs.
Ride-wise, it manages to combine the solidity of rougher rides with the gentility of the rather more demure options.
Driving around in an inexpensive car that doesn't feel that way is always distinctly agreeable. Admittedly, the engine is at the smaller end of the range in cars of this sort, but the turbocharger definitely gives a leg, or, indeed wheel, up.
Joining motorways from slip lanes doesn't feel a hurried affair and that is always a bonus in the UAE's major conurbations.
When it comes to off-road, the T1 is considerably more adept in these areas than many others in the same bracket, and the drive options, including mud, sand and rock, go some way to indicating its willingness to take on the terrain.
Incorporating what is referred to as intelligent four-wheel drive, it also has a wading depth of just north of half a metre, so that's another plus point. Think twice about doing this with the two-wheel drive option, though.
Inside, Jetour has been going for a premium and tech-rich experience.
The cabin is spacious, but not so much that it feels like an airport lounge. The seating features heating, ventilation and cooling functions that are often found in rather more expensive options.
Tech-wise, the centrepiece is a 15.6-inch infotainment screen, supported by the usual Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The vehicle also features a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with USB ports and wireless charging capabilities.
Matters are further improved with the T1's dual-layer of sun-proof glass that reduces heat, blocks glare and ensures a quieter ride for those on the inside.
The safety package is also decent, featuring driver aids such as adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, lane keeping assist and automatic emergency braking, along with multiple airbags and a 360-degree panoramic camera.
The takeaway? This is a car that won't be seeing a lot of off-road action from its buyers, but can handle less severe terrain should the need arise.
The fact that the car might not be first choice for the Dakar Rally isn't really an issue, as that isn't the point. The T1 is smart, fun and inexpensive, so it's not hard to see why it's proving popular.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Business
9 hours ago
- Gulf Business
Ethara's Danny Klima on project management and its role in global sporting events
Image: Gareth Harford / Motorsport Images Photographer) courtesy E1/ For illustrative purposes In the high-stakes world of international events, delivering flawless execution while juggling complex logistics, tight timelines, and diverse stakeholders is no small feat. Danny Klima, venue portfolio director at Ethara, shares how project management principles are at the heart of the success of iconic events like the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last year. With over two decades of global experience and 18 years in the UAE, Klima reflects on how certifications from the Project Management Institute ( Danny Klima/ Image: Supplied How has your project management training supported the successful delivery of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix? Live events have their own set of inherent uncertainties and risks involved with anything from weather conditions, logistical issues and last-minute changes impacting deliverables.. We need to be agile and quick to adapt and turn things around whatever the disruptions as the event has to go live. My Project Management Professional (PMP) and Program Management Professional (PgMP) certifications gave me the tools to lead cross-functional teams with a leadership style that balances decisiveness and collaboration. These qualifications also helped me foster synergy across technical teams and international stakeholders while embedding a culture of accountability. In the end, the outcome is the most crucial part of it all, and if we are able to navigate the challenges and have a process-driven approach while remaining quick on our feet to counter unexpected challenges on the way, we have a win-win situation in hand. Sustainability is another key focus. I used my training to embed sustainability within every phase of the project — from work breakdown structures and programme architecture to delivery and post-event evaluation. This structured approach helped us integrate innovations like renewable energy and waste-reduction strategies into the planning and execution process. What are some of the key sustainability initiatives at the Grand Prix? Sustainability is a fundamental part of our event blueprint. The Grand Prix operations teams are quite process-driven to ensure efficiency and they are already dialed into sustainability. Our sustainability initiatives, be it around advanced technology to reduce our energy consumption — all of our track lights are LED so it reduced our electricity demands — or our renewable project, where we commissioned a one-megawatt solar car park, are really a fundamental part of the business. F1 has a sustainability steering committee that ensures sustainability is embedded into department objectives. For a massive event like this where we have 70,000 spectators coming to an event for a 10-hour day, the impact can be huge. We focus on plastic and waste, wellbeing, energy use, fan travel, how fans get to the venue, how the event impacts the local community, and, of course, carbon. And we think about air quality. We think about noise. We think about groundwater pollution. We initiated a shift to e-tickets as part of our waste management agenda a few years ago. We didn't have to produce the plastic cards, or the lanyards. We didn't need planes and trains and buses to ship the tickets all around the world. So we eliminated all of that waste and logistics from the event, which we're really proud of. We're an old venue. Yas Marina Circuit has been operating since 2009, so we have a lot of old technology. Converting everything to LED lighting has definitely helped. Even simple solutions like having water diffusers on the bottom of taps has helped to reduce wastage especially when we have 70,000 people using the venue. We work with suppliers with sustainability strategies, who have frameworks and net-zero ambitions, and help us deliver our objectives as well. As for how we measure the success of our sustainability drive, we have a robust customer feedback survey which enables us to work around our limitations and scale up our success. We also ensure we are up to date with our certifications which showcases our adherence to sustainable measures. We also get scored by Formula 1 for our sustainability plan around plastic and waste, well-being and nature, energy, fan travel, local community and carbon. Formula 1 sets some stringent guidelines and their feedback mechanism through scoring and awards enable us to ensure we are on the right path. Looking back at the 2024 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — what was a key learning from this edition? The 2024 edition marked the culmination of a high-stakes season, and delivering such a multifaceted event reinforced the importance of stakeholder alignment and agile planning. Whether coordinating race-day operations or managing back-to-back headline concerts, the key learning was the need for real-time responsiveness grounded in a robust project framework. These insights will help us elevate future editions even further. How has technology — especially AI and data analytics — changed how you plan and execute events? Adaptability is key to success in this field. Data analytics has helped us optimise resource allocation, forecast demand, and reduce waste. For Formula 1, we often need to know attendee needs before they do — and AI is helping us do just that. Emerging tools are improving our ability to anticipate issues and personalise experiences, and I'm excited about the continued role of AI in shaping how events evolve in the coming years. You've lived in the UAE for nearly two decades. How has the local culture influenced your approach to event management? The UAE's emphasis on hospitality and inclusivity aligns beautifully with our goals in event delivery. Working in Abu Dhabi has taught me the value of adaptability and cultural sensitivity. The local tradition of blending innovation with heritage has helped shape my approach — whether it's integrating advanced technology or meeting global standards while honouring local customs. What does the future look like for Abu Dhabi as a global events destination? Abu Dhabi's transformation into a holistic world-class leisure and lifestyle destination is purely a byproduct of the leadership's ambitious vision backed by heavy investment into innovation that marries technology with sustainability. There are of course challenges with regards to climate and logistics and navigating permits, regulations and legal requirements. But at the end of the day, the steadfast vision to offer a memorable experience for all visitors backed by best-in-class practices and world-class infrastructure along with a robust investment into skilled workforce has ensured the emirate has been able to attract a diverse range of footfall. There is huge potential here for the global events industry and what makes the venue truly unique is the adherence to local culture while not compromising on offering the very best of services to guests. An international event like the Formula 1 Grand Prix draws its own unique crowd – from spectators to vendors to the real heroes on track. The emirate has proved over the years that it can host world class events where technology, innovation and creativity come together intricately to offer a truly memorable experience for all involved. And the cred
Khaleej Times
11 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
'Inspired by eagle shape': How 20cm-long F1 car hit 80kmph on Yas Marina track
A group of students from a Dubai school are making waves ahead of the F1 in Schools™ UAE National Finals with a miniature racing machine that blends smart engineering with real-world racing inspiration. Their car, designed and built entirely by the student team known as Team Founders, is a sleek aerodynamic marvel and it's built for one thing — speed, reaching up to 80kmph. The team's entry, developed under the rigorous guidelines of the F1 in Schools™ competition, is powered by a single 8-gram CO₂ cartridge. When launched, it sprints down a 20m track in just over a second. Hannan Ali, head of enterprise at Team Founders, a six-member team, shared insights into the team's design process, as they gear up for the international STEM competition. He said, 'The dimensions of the car are about 209mm long, 61mm wide and 70mm tall in accordance with the regulations. Additionally, the car weighs 50.1g which is just above the minimum weight,' said the Year 12 student at GEMS Founders School - Al Barsha. 'The key factors that influenced our car's design were the minimisation of drag, reduction of friction in the wheel system, and overall stability. We took inspiration from nature — specifically the streamlined shape of an eagle — as well as winning F1 in Schools teams and real-world motorsports like F1 and NASCAR.' To bring their concept to life, the team turned to professional-grade tools. The car was fully designed in Fusion 360, a powerful 3D CAD/CAM software platform widely used in the engineering industry. They then ran simulations in Ansys CFD, a leading computational fluid dynamics tool that helped them fine-tune the car's aerodynamic profile. 'Ansys gave us incredibly realistic data,' said Hannan. 'With guidance from NIO engineers, we were able to navigate complex simulations and refine our design to a professional standard.' For fabrication, the team followed competition regulations by machining the car body out of polyurethane modeling foam. To further enhance performance, they used ceramic bearings, which offered lower rolling resistance compared to traditional options. But it's their 'Dual Bearing System' that truly sets this car apart. 'We use two different bearings per wheel — one between the axle and wheel, and another between the axle and support,' said Hannan. 'This dramatically reduces energy loss and improves race time. It's our most innovative feature to date.' Assembly was just as meticulous as the design and fabrication stages. The team employed custom 3D-printed alignment jigs to ensure everything was perfectly placed. They also went through multiple rounds of sanding, painting, and bonding to create a car that looks as fast as it moves. 'Each step took days of refinement,' Hannan said. 'Achieving the required balance, smoothness, and regulatory compliance isn't just about aesthetics; it directly affects speed and performance.' Testing at Yas Marina Circuit Testing their car at the Yas Marina Circuit, the team had the rare opportunity to trial their creation on an official F1 in Schools™ racetrack. The experience not only validated their engineering work but also connected them with local experts and officials. 'Testing at Yas Marina was a highlight, not just for performance validation, but for the incredible feedback and encouragement we received.' The journey hasn't been without its challenges. Mastering industry-standard tools, ensuring millimeter-precision, and innovating within strict competition rules demanded relentless effort and adaptability. 'Every fraction of a millimeter counts,' said Hannan. 'We had to innovate constantly to remain compliant and competitive.'
The National
17 hours ago
- The National
Jetour T1 road test: Versatile vehicle taking over UAE highways has style and substance
Any Gulf resident with even a mild interest in motoring – and many with even less – will be familiar with the Jetour brand. Among the many car companies making their forays into world markets in recent years, the Chinese manufacturer can claim to have made an especially significant impact in the Emirates. One of the brand's key offerings now gracing the UAE's highways and byways is the T1, a vehicle that combines the rugged aesthetics of tough off-roaders with the around-town sophistication that would be expected at the more genial end of the spectrum. The car, sometimes referred to as the Traveler, seems to have been designed specifically to appeal to those seeking a versatile vehicle for both city commutes and light off-road excursions. An urban SUV, or, as parent company Chery would say, an off-roader lite. While it is not unusual for manufacturers providing cars of this ilk, Jetour has done a good job visually with the T1, making it appear familiar yet still distinctive. It is noticeably different to its significantly tougher-looking sibling, the T2. That said, it's not all about prettiness. The T1 retains a boxy, commanding presence, all encompassed within an appealing shape that was created by former Porsche designer Hakan Saracoglu. Its look incorporates a series of sharp angles set off by LED matrix headlights with distinctive daytime running lamps, accompanied by bold alloy wheels in both 18 and 19-inch formats. The T1 is smart-looking. Taking it for a test drive, it quickly becomes clear the model isn't about style over substance. That much is immediately evident when entering the cabin. The T1 feels just as at home on the roads as those piloting the region's far more well-entrenched SUVs. Ride-wise, it manages to combine the solidity of rougher rides with the gentility of the rather more demure options. Driving around in an inexpensive car that doesn't feel that way is always distinctly agreeable. Admittedly, the engine is at the smaller end of the range in cars of this sort, but the turbocharger definitely gives a leg, or, indeed wheel, up. Joining motorways from slip lanes doesn't feel a hurried affair and that is always a bonus in the UAE's major conurbations. When it comes to off-road, the T1 is considerably more adept in these areas than many others in the same bracket, and the drive options, including mud, sand and rock, go some way to indicating its willingness to take on the terrain. Incorporating what is referred to as intelligent four-wheel drive, it also has a wading depth of just north of half a metre, so that's another plus point. Think twice about doing this with the two-wheel drive option, though. Inside, Jetour has been going for a premium and tech-rich experience. The cabin is spacious, but not so much that it feels like an airport lounge. The seating features heating, ventilation and cooling functions that are often found in rather more expensive options. Tech-wise, the centrepiece is a 15.6-inch infotainment screen, supported by the usual Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The vehicle also features a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with USB ports and wireless charging capabilities. Matters are further improved with the T1's dual-layer of sun-proof glass that reduces heat, blocks glare and ensures a quieter ride for those on the inside. The safety package is also decent, featuring driver aids such as adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, lane keeping assist and automatic emergency braking, along with multiple airbags and a 360-degree panoramic camera. The takeaway? This is a car that won't be seeing a lot of off-road action from its buyers, but can handle less severe terrain should the need arise. The fact that the car might not be first choice for the Dakar Rally isn't really an issue, as that isn't the point. The T1 is smart, fun and inexpensive, so it's not hard to see why it's proving popular.
