Latest news with #Omoda&Jaecoo
The Citizen
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Jaecoo J5 penned-in for third quarter South African market debut
Initial powertrain will be the familiar 1.5 T-GDI connected to a CVT rather than the 1.6 T-GDI and dual-clutch combo. A plug-in hybrid will, however, arrive at a later stage. Jaecoo J5 will take over from the J7 as the Chery-owned division's smallest model come the third quarter of 2025. Image: Omoda & Jaecoo South Africa Set to become its smallest model this year, Omoda & Jaecoo South Africa has released select details of the incoming Jaecoo J5. Officially shown in October last year before appearing at the Shanghai International Auto Show in March, the J5, as per its name, will take-up station below the J7 as a compact crossover the Chery-owned division says will 'raise the bar' when it arrives. Petrol first, SHS hybrid later Also shown as an EV in Shanghai, the local market J5 will, initially, use the familiar 1.5 T-GDI engine that powers the Tiggo Cross, Tiggo 4 Pro, Tiggo 7 Pro and the Omoda C5. ALSO READ: South African-bound new Jaecoo J5 officially shows itself Paired to the CVT, the unit will produce the same 115kW/230Nm as the latter, and send its amount of twist to the front axle only. Due at a later stage, possibly in the final quarter of the year or in 2026, a plug-in hybrid will be added under the SHS or Super Hybrid System banner with a reported combined system output of 145 kW. On the spec sheet Likely to offer an assortment of trim levels similar to the J7's Vortex, Glacier and Inferno grades, confirmed specification items for the J5 include a 13.2-inch infotainment system, a wireless smartphone charger, panoramic sunroof and a drive mode selector with three settings: Eco, Normal and Sport. Approved options will include ventilated front seats, leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control. Likely price Reportedly still on track to make its public showing at the Kyalami Festival of Motoring in August, pricing for the Jaecoo J5 will only be announced then, or possibility at an earlier stage as part of an expanded teaser campaign. At present, pricing for the J7 starts at R549 900 and ends at R679 900 for the all-wheel-drive Inferno. The mid-spec Glacier, meanwhile, has a sticker of R599 900. As such, expect pricing of the J5 to possibly start around the R450 000 to R500 000 mark when sales commence. ALSO READ: Jaecoo's new junior J5 emerges in fresh teasers without disguise
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Intensely shocked plug-in hybrid Omoda C9 SHS arriving in June
Sister brand to Jaecoo will unveil its first electrified model at the same as the former's own first PHEV, the J7 SHS. Omoda's first ever plug-in hybrid in South Africa could became the latest Chinese product to breach R1-million. Image Omoda & Jaecoo With sister brand Jaecoo having confirmed the arrival of its first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) in South Africa next month, Omoda has announced that its debutant PHEV, based on the C9, will be debuting at the same time as its first product tipped to possibly breach the R1-million mark. Serious PHEV punch Approved for South Africa in February, the C9 PHEV will join the Jaecoo J7 PHEV in adopting parent company Chery's SHS or Super Hybrid System moniker first announced at the Shanghai International Auto Show in March. Differing little from the combustion engine C9 on first glance, bar the addition of a second flap hiding the charging port on the rear wing, the SHS will only be offered in flagship Explore guise, which in 'normal' petrol form, starts R885 900. ALSO READ: Plug-in hybrid Jaecoo J7 becoming one with the grid in June Up front resides the biggest difference in that the SHS swaps the 2.0 T-GDI engine for the same 1.5 T-GDI used in the J7 SHS, but with three instead of a single electric motor. Motivated by a bigger 34.5-kWh battery pack, the C9 SHS has a combined output of 440kW/915Nm, which goes to all four wheels via a three-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT). SHS will be modelled on the top-spec C9 Explore. Note: conventional petrol model depicted. Image: Omoda & Jaecoo The claimed all-electric is 150 km and the combined distance with the petrol engine included, 1 100 km. According to O&J South Africa, using a fast DC charger up to 40 kW will require a waiting time of 25 minutes from 30-80%. Likely spec In terms of specification, and given the combustion engine Explore's features, the SHS will come standard with 20-inch alloy wheels, the 12-speaker Sony sound system, a panoramic sunroof, heated, electric and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, Nappa leather upholstery, dual 12.3-inch displays, ambient lighting and a pair of wireless smartphone chargers. Interior of the C9 SHS, seemingly, differs little from the conventional combustion model on first glance. Image Omoda & Jaecoo On the safety side, expect the following to feature: Driver Attention Alert; Adaptive Cruise Control; Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Reverse Automatic Braking; Blind Spot Monitoring; Lane Departure Warning; 540-degree surround-view camera system; Lane Keep Assist; Lead Vehicle Alert Stay tuned With a reported week left before it and the J7 SHS' reveal, expect pricing of the C9 SHS to be announced then. NOW READ: Serious shock: PHEV Omoda C9 and Jaecoo J7 outputs revealed
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Jaecoo J7 SHS Hybrid SUV launching in South Africa this June: what to expect
The Jaecoo J7 SHS plug-in hybrid is said to have a combined range of 1,200 kilometres. Jaecoo is a subsidiary of Chery, which sells the Tiggo 4, Tiggo Cross, Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8. The Jaecoo J7 SHS plug-in hybrid version of the J7 SUV is set to become the second Jaecoo nameplate to be launched locally and the first of several new and electrified models to be launched. Power As a hybrid powertrain, the J7 SHS is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 105kW and 215Nm and a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor with 150kW and 310Nm coupled to a Lithium Iron Phosphate battery providing peak outputs of 255kW and 525Nm. Power is sent to the front wheels via a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT). Jaecoo claims an all-electric range of 90 kilometres with the battery reaching 30-80% when connected to a 40kW DC charger in 20 minutes. Consumption The J7 SHS plug-in hybrid is said to have a combined range of 1,200 kilometres on a tank of fuel, consuming less than 5l/100km. On a recent 1 100 kilometre journey between Cape Town and Gqeberha, the J7 SHS posted an average fuel consumption of 4.88l/100 km. 'The J7 SHS represents a significant step forward for the Jaecoo brand in South Africa,' said Shannon Gahagan, national brand and marketing manager for Omoda & Jaecoo South Africa. 'It brings together performance, efficiency and premium comfort in a way that meets the evolving needs of today's drivers.'
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
REVIEW: Omoda C5 X will hit a sweet spot for those who prefer sporty looks to practicality
The Omoda C5 X ushers in a facelift for the brand's most popular model. Image: Supplied There's a quiz on one of Joburg's popular radio stations, where contestants are asked to name a whole bunch of things starting with a specific letter, from countries to animals, foods and... you get the drift. Of course, I've never entered because, with my luck, I would probably be stuck with a letter like 'X' or 'Z'. Nonetheless, on this specific day the contestant was saddled with 'O' and when asked to name a car brand, the answer given was Omoda. Not Opel, as the obvious one might have been a few years back. But it illustrates a point. Among the seemingly endless tide of new Chinese brands entering the South African market, Omoda & Jaecoo has established a solid footing on the sales charts in a relatively short space of time. In the first four months of this year they have sold an average of just under 800 cars per month, placing it 14th among the manufacturers, and it's the Omoda C5 that leads this charge with a consistent monthly tally of just over 500 units. The C5 range was recently split into two, with the facelifted 'X' models forming the upper half of the range, while the 1.5 Street and 1.5T Style variants continue unchanged at the more affordable end of the spectrum, with prices starting at R329,900. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The new C5 X is sold in two flavours, with the Lux X costing R425,900 and the Elegance X commanding R465,900. These models are a respective R52,000 and R42,000 less than their predecessors! Subjective as styling is, I'd say this facelift is a cracker. In the old version you got a huge, colour-coded and borderless grille with a bit of car hidden behind it. The front end receives a sharper design. Image: Supplied The new model, with its sharper 'diamond matrix' grille, derived from the elegant Omoda C9, just looks so much neater, particularly as it's flanked by larger headlights and boomerang-shaped bumper elements. The sleek body shape remains as before, and is just as striking and eye-catching as ever, now complemented by a more handsome front end. However, the sporty silhouette does have a downside, which I discovered while trying to plonk my average-sized frame behind my driving position. Rear headroom is on the tight side, and while I only just fitted in comfortably, taller individuals might find themselves in a more claustrophobic position. I found the rear legroom to be adequate, but there wasn't much stretching space. The recent design upgrades saw the official boot capacity increase from 378 to 442 litres, which is certainly generous enough for a vehicle in this segment - you'll fit a good few holiday bags in there. The basic cabin architecture remains as before, but soft-touch surfaces are more liberally used. There's a large curved panel, which neatly houses two screens, rising above the dashboard, while a raised centre console creates a feeling of separation between the driver and front passenger, as you might find in a supercar. Below this you'll find a large storage area, which also houses A and C USB ports. Tall centre console brings a true 'cockpit' feel. Image: Supplied The wireless phone charger, which sits between the upper console and infotainment screen, has an increased charging output of 50 watts. The infotainment system, which integrates wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, is relatively straightforward and easy to use, and there is a separate touch panel below the air vents for most of the ventilation functions. What's it like to drive the Omoda C5 X? The engine carries over, as the familiar 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol unit that pushes 115kW and 230Nm, but the previous CVT gearbox has been replaced by a new six-speed dual-clutch unit. The electronic gear lever did not feel all that responsive to fast inputs between park, reverse and drive. But on the road the gearbox delivered reasonably smooth shifts. Performance is on par with what you'd expect, given the vehicle's size and power. It's no firecracker, but it's more than capable of keeping up with fast-paced urban and highway traffic. New LED taillights adorn the rear end. Image: Supplied Omoda claims an overall consumption figure of 6.9 litres per 100km, down from the previous version's 7.4, but our test car averaged 9.8 litres per 100km in mixed conditions, while a freeway run of around 100km after a trip reset saw a figure of 7.3 litres per 100km. While not catastrophic consumption, it could certainly have been better. That also sums up my feeling about the overall driving experience. There's a new multi-link rear axle, but the ride quality is no better than average at best. Interior noise and vibration levels also leave room for improvement. It's not necessarily unrefined, but it's also not the height of sophistication either. But let's be fair here, as the Omoda C5 still enters the field with a high-value price tag, with almost every conceivable bell and whistle made available for under R500,000. Both models come with automatic climate control, synthetic leather seats, with electric adjustment for the front occupants, sunroof, push-button start and a surround-view camera. The Elegance X adds a few extra bits and bobs, such as driver's seat ventilation, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and wireless phone charger. VERDICT The driving experience could still do with some fine-tuning, but other than that, the new Omoda C5 X is proof of how far Chinese car manufacturers have come in a relatively short space of time. Boasting sporty looks, a keen price tag and a glut of standard features, it should hit a sweet spot for many buyers seeking a desirable vehicle for under R500,000. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel IOL
The Citizen
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Plug-in hybrid Jaecoo J7 becoming one with the grid in June
Jaecoo and parent company Chery's first plug-in hybrid to debut in South Africa, the J7 SHS has an EV-only range of 90 km and a combined system output of 255kW/525Nm. Initially planed for local market release at the end of May, Omoda & Jaecoo South Africa has confirmed that its first-ever hybrid, the J7 SHS, will officially launch in early June. Hybrid shock Its abbreviation denoting Super Hybrid System, which parent company Chery debuted at the Shanghai Auto Show two months ago, the setup consists of the smaller 1.5 T-GDI engine rather than the normal 1.6 T-GDI being combined with a single electric motor driven by an 18.3-kWh lithium phosphate battery pack. ALSO READ: Serious shock: PHEV Omoda C9 and Jaecoo J7 outputs revealed Paired to a new three-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT), the J7 SHS develops a combined 255kW/525Nm and, as a result of being a plug-in hybrid, drive 90 km on the electric systems alone. Supporting DC charging up top 40 kW, the SHS will require a waiting time of 20 minutes from 30-80%. According to O&J, the combined combustion and electric range is 1 200 km. Expect it to fit in here… While no pricing has yet been made, Jaecoo has hinted at the SHS possibly being modelled on the mid-range Glacier trim grade rather than the flagship Inferno, whose only differences include a heated steering wheel and all-wheel-drive. This stems from not disclosing the latter features on the preliminary specification list, which so far names 19-inch alloy wheels, the eight-speaker sound system, Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Reserve Automatic Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning and Adaptive Cruise Control as some of the standard items. Known as the SHS, the J7 has a combined electric and combustion engine range of 1 200 km. Image: Omoda & Jaecoo At present, the three-model J7 range starts off at R549 900 for the entry-level Vortex, before increasing to R599 900 for the Glacier. The all-paw gripping Inferno completes the trio at R679 900. As such, the SHS could be positioned above the Inferno on the price, but with identical levels of spec to the Glacier as a means of keeping pricing competitive. More soon For the moment though, this is purely speculative and will only be confirmed or disproved when the official unveiling happens next month. NOW READ: Plug-in hybrid Jaecoos destined for South Africa with serious shock
