JAECOO Malaysia to add J7 PHEV – est. RM170,000 – RM180,000

The J7 premium SUV by JAECOO is still relatively new on Malaysian roads, with deliveries of the locally-assembled model having started just a couple of months ago. In fact, Malaysia is the first country in Southeast Asia where the brand has introduced itself and also launched its first product.

The J7 currently being assembled has only an internal combustion engine (ICE), with a choice of 2-hweel drive or all-wheel drive. Soon, JAECOO Malaysia will also add another J7 variant which has a plug-in hybrid electric powertrain (PHEV). Like the J7 ICE, the PHEV variant will be available  with 2WD and AWD, with an estimated price from RM170,000 to RM180,000.

PHEVs have extended cruising ranges because the electric motor also provides propulsion, reducing fuel consumption significantly. This is especially so when driving at lower speeds (eg around town) where the SUV will run on electricity most of the time. It is only when travelling at higher speeds, eg on highways, that the engine also comes in to provide the extra power.

Recently, JAECOO had an event where the J7 PHEV proved just how much further its range can be, compared to the ICE variant. On  paper, the J7 PHEV has the lowest claimed fuel consumption in its class at 17 kms/litre (5.99 litres/100 kms). But would you believe that the distance travelled on just one tank of fuel (and also without recharging the batter) was over 1,300 kms?

This was achieved in a marathon drive of 13 hours and it was done not by the automaker’s R&D personnel but by representatives from 7 countries, including Malaysia. on a jam-free test track And they didn’t drive on a jam-free test track either; they drove from Guangzhou to Wuhu in China and went through all types of real-world conditions including congested city roads.

A PHEV can also run on just electricity when there is sufficient energy in the battery and JAECOO states a pure electric distance of 106 kms. However, at the end of the marathon drive, it was found that some of the vehicles were able to go up to 125.2 kms while in pure electric mode. That would also have contributed to the SUV’s impressive 1,300-km range.

Of course, not everyone will be able to get 1,300 kms as energy consumption, like petrol consumption, is dependent on driving style and conditions. Nevertheless, the fact that it has the potential of 1,300 kms means that even those who drive the vehicle ‘hard’ will still have a fairly long range and need to visit a petrol station or recharge less frequently.

And another good thing – if the battery runs out of energy, there’s still the engine to keep going so you won’t be stranded by the roadside. The engine also recharges the battery while on the move though its large capacity means the recharging is not great, which is why a charging station is needed.

“This is a testament to JAECOO’s Super Hybrid System Technology which enables the J7 PHEV to maintain an efficient and energy-saving driving state. This raises the bar for energy-efficient and economical mobility, and we are proud to offer the J7 PHEV for Malaysians to enjoy,” said JAECOO Malaysia Vice President, Emily Lek.

The J7 PHEV will be assembled locally as well at Chery Malaysia’s own plant in Selangor. It will be launched before the year ends with first deliveries starting in February 2025. Registrations of interest are now accepted at JAECOO dealerships nationwide.

Before the launch, JAECOO Malaysia is having events to give the public a better idea of PHEV technology, how it works and why it is a great idea. The first such event is at the Sunway Pyramid (LG2 Orange Wing concourse) this weekend (October 26/27) where the public can view a J7 PHEV.

The J7 PHEV has similar looks to the ICE version which you may have seen on the road already. It looks a bit like a Range Rover and that is not coincidental as Chery/JAECOO work together in China so there is sharing of design ideas as well.

Like the J7 ICE, the interior has a premium look and feel but there are small differences which owners will spot more easily. These are mainly related to the electrified powertrain. For example, there is no rotary dial to select drive modes and pushbuttons are provided. There is also no shift lever as the shifting is done by a stalk on the steering column.

There’s also no start/stop button because in almost all circumstances, the vehicle will start off using electric power only. Thus once the driver gets in and the system identifies it is the owner (through the key fob), it is ready to move the moment the pedal is pressed. However, for safety reasons, the drive mode can only be selected when stepping on the brake pedal.

On the outside, there is a second flap on the right side. This is to connect the cable from the charging station. It is also where the V2L (Vehicle to Load) cable can be connected to draw electricity to power external devices or equipment. So rather than starting a fire to boil water, you can bring along an electric kettle and get it done more easily.

The powertrain consists of a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine (the J7 ICE has a 1.6-litre engine) coupled to an electric motor. If there is AWD, then there is a second motor at the rear as well. The total system output is 255 kW (347 ps)/525 Nm with electricity supplied by an 18.3 kWh battery. Recharging can be done with AC or DC supply up to 40 kW.

We understand that range anxiety is a concern among drivers when it comes to electric vehicles. Our strategy to introduce the J7 PHEV is timely as the market demands the best of both worlds, engine performance and fuel efficiency,” said Chery Corporate Malaysia Executive Vice-President, Leo Chen.

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