In the context of an increasingly competitive car market, Malaysia is about to witness the debut of the Chery Jaecoo J7, a new model that promises to bring a breath of fresh air to consumers. Expected in the first half of 2024, Jaecoo J7 not only marks the brand’s presence in Malaysia but also an important step towards entering the Southeast Asian market.
According to Wapcar, this car has been introduced to the Malaysian media and stakeholders on January 3, 2024, along with information about the J8 – a model that will be announced later for this market.
Although the expected selling price of J7 has not yet been announced, preliminary technical specifications have shown the promising potential of this car. Jaecoo J7 is built on the Chery T1X platform, the same platform as the Omoda 5, and is equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1.6 liters, producing 197 horsepower and 290 Nm of torque.
This engine is combined with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission from Getrag, distributing power to the front or all four wheels through the Jaecoo intelligent 4WD system with 7 driving modes on different terrains.
The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version has not yet been launched globally. The company has recently revealed that this version uses a 1.5L turbocharged petrol engine combined with an electric motor, along with a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT). Impressive fuel consumption of only 1 liter/100 km.
The interior space of Jaecoo J7 is simple yet modern and convenient with two large screens: a digital instrument cluster and a 14.8-inch infotainment unit, supporting wireless connection with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
In addition, the car is also equipped with Sony audio system, soundproof windshield, panoramic sunroof, an armrest with cooling function, wireless charging (50W), and a heads-up display (HUD).
In terms of safety, J7 offers a complete collection of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including a total of 21 features. The launch of Jaecoo J7 is not only a notable event in the automotive industry but also reaffirms the brand’s commitment to providing high-quality products that meet the diverse needs of customers in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
In China, Chery has a joint venture with Jaguar Land Rover for assembly and distribution. The Jaecoo J7 has been commented by many international media as resembling Land Rover Range Rover models. However, Jeff Liu, representative of Chery International in Eastern Europe and Asia-Pacific, affirmed that the company has hired designers to create completely new designs, not copied from anyone.
Simon Liu, Deputy General Director of the Omoda and Jaecoo brands in Vietnam, confirmed that the company will launch 3 car models this year for Vietnamese customers, including Omoda C5, Omoda E5, Jaecoo 7, and Jaecoo 7 PHEV. Initially, the cars will be imported from Indonesia before transitioning to local assembly.
Positioned in the mid-size SUV segment, Jaecoo 7 will directly compete with Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Ford Territory, KIA Sportage, and Hyundai Tucson. It is still unclear what the starting price of this model will be, but it would not be surprising if it is sold for around 800 million VND (about USD 35,000).
