Chery’s Jetour Traveller is a cut-price Defender rival
Chinese brand’s Land Rover lookalike set for aggressive pricing and genuine 4x4 off-road abilityAs Chery Automobile prepares to return to Australia this year, kicking off soon with the 2023 Chery Omoda 5, the Chinese auto giant’s sub-brand Jetour has unveiled a cut-price new 4x4 off-roader that’s clearly inspired by the Land Rover Defender 90.
Paving the way for a new generation of SUVs and utes from Chery that are heading Down Under, the 2023 Jetour Traveller is set to be priced from just 149,800 yuan ($A30,000) in China and will line up against the GWM Tank 300 now available in Australia.
It was penned by ex-Porsche designer Hakan Saracoglu, who helped create cars like the current Porsche Cayman and the 918 Spyder hypercar.
The Defender-like Jetour Traveller has boxy styling, lots of black plastic cladding, six-element LED headlights and an imposing Ford Bronco-style grille complete with JETOUR lettering.
The rugged front bumper looks ready for a winch, while the rear spare wheel carrier, roof rails and side steps will all be a hit among lifestyle SUV buyers.
The Traveller is available in two wheelbase lengths, with the shorter version seating five and the LWB accommodating seven.
Under the bonnet there’s the choice between a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and a 2.0-litre turbo with an eight-speed auto, plus two plug-in hybrid options that combine a 1.5-litre turbo with one or two electric motors.
All versions come with four-wheel drive.
To help owners customise their Traveller, Jetour will also offer special packs that bundle off-road modifications and camping accessories.
Inside, there’s an unusual egg-shaped steering wheel, a large digital instrument panel and a huge infotainment system, plus a pair of over-sized air vents.
The Jetour Traveller is slated to make its public debut at the Shanghai motor show in April and is a member of the next wave of SUVs from Chery that will be crucial to the company’s success in Australia.
There’s no word yet on the Traveller’s prospects for launch Down Under, but it’s likely to use the same platform underpinning the forthcoming new ‘J Series’ Chery Tiggo portfolio – including the Tiggo TJ-1 – that are already confirmed for release here.
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