Jaecoo J7 and J8 PHEVs under study for Oz

Fresh from confirming in March that it will launch the luxury Jaecoo brand Down Under in the second half of this year with the all-new Jaecoo J7 mid-size SUV, Chery Australia now says it is considering adding a plug-in hybrid version that could become another rival for the top-selling Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

Chery’s Jaecoo brand revealed PHEV versions of both the J7 and the larger J8, which is yet to be confirmed for Australian release, at the Beijing motor show last week and Chery Australian spokesman Tim Krieger said both models “are under consideration for Australia, but no timings as yet”.

The BMW X3-size Jaecoo J7, which based on the Chery TJ-1 off-road SUV revealed in Shanghai a year ago, is already undergoing local testing ahead of its Australian release later this year.

It’s understood the mid-size luxury SUV is undergoing pre-launch evaluation of its advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), following criticism of its original Chery Omoda 5 small SUV, in a repeat of the work carried out on the recently-launched Chery Tiggo 7 Pro mid-size SUV, the second-new-generation model to be released by the Chinese brand since its return to Australia in March 2023.

Chery Australia is also working with its parent company implement dynamic testing Down Under, along similar lines to Kia’s local chassis calibration program.

But while the Chery Tiggo 7 competes with the GWM-Haval H6, MG HS and entry versions of the Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4, the Jaecoo J7 will target higher-grade models from the big Japanese and Korean brands, plus those from mainstream European car-makers.

As such, the J7 will need to offer a combination of style, safety, technology, refinement and dynamics to make an impact in Australia, and a PHEV version could help it stand out in the mid-size luxury SUV segment.

As we’ve reported, the J7 is powered by a 145kW/290Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving either the front or all four wheels, with interior highlights comprising leather upholstery and a 14.8-inch portrait infotainment screen.

But the Jaecoo J7 and J8 will bring an all-new PHEV drivetrain that brings with it vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging functionality as part of Jaecoo’s ‘Ultra Futuristic Tech LIFE’ integrated ecosystem.

In terms of powertrains, both the J7 and J8 PHEVs are based around a fifth-generation hybrid-specific 1.5-litre TGDI four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that’s claimed to achieve a thermal efficiency of 44.5 per cent.

In the case of the J7, it’s paired with an unspecified electric motor to produce a combined 250kW/525Nm, return fuel consumption of 4.0L/100m in HEV mode and offer an all-electric range of up to 88km, extending to a total of 1200km with a full tank and battery.

In addition to seven driving modes for conditions including desert, mud and snow, the J7 features six further drive settings: power, energy efficiency, low carbon, safety, all-wheel drive off-roading, smart technology and outdoor living.

New exterior features include concealed door-handles and new 19-inch enclosed low-drag wheels, which together reduce the J7’s drag coefficient to 0.318Cd.

The Jaecoo J8 PHEV powertrain, meantime, is based around a “brand-new third-generation hybrid off-road platform”, rather than an electrified version of the J7 PHEV’s existing All Road Drive Intelligent System (ARDIS).

It's based around the same 1.5 TGDI engine but coupled with a three-speed DHT hybrid system and supported by high-output electric motors at both front and rear, producing a combined 450kW/915Nm.

Before the petrol-powered Jaecoo J7 arrives later this year, Chery Australia will soon add a third model line in the seven-seat Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max large SUV, followed by the all-electric Chery Omoda E5 and the Chery Omoda 7.

As well as the Jaecoo J7 and J8 PHEVs, the plug-in hybrid Chery Tiggo 7 Pro e+ and Tiggo 8 Pro e+ are also under consideration for Australia, as is the Toyota Kluger Hybrid-rivalling Chery Tiggo 9 PHEV.

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