JAECOO J7 shows off its capabilities at M4TREC

The JAECOO J7 is a smart looking premium SUV but how well can it handle off-road conditions? After conducting its own tests in local conditions, JAECOO Malaysia is confident of its capabilities, thanks to its advanced All Road Drive Intelligent System (ARDIS) that gets the vehicle across uneven terrain with slippery or loose surfaces.

A connection with the 4×4 experts
ARDIS and other aspects of the J7 probably benefit from a 13-year old relationship which Chery (which owns the JAECOO brand) has with Jaguar Land Rover. Although the 50:50 joint-venture known as Chery Jaguar Land Rover Automobile Company Ltd was established in 2011 for manufacturing Land Rover/Range Rover products in China, there may also be some expertise that Chery has gained to help it design and develop its own premium SUVs.

The media had an opportunity to experience those impressive capabilities at the Malaysia 4WD Training and Experience Centre (M4TREC) in Semenyih, Selangor. The facility is situated in an area with complex and challenging terrain which can place great demands on off-road vehicle performance.

The J7, which has a 1.6-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine, tackled challenges that included roller ramps, articulation tests, ridge crossings, and deep water crossings. The intelligent system directs power to each wheel that has grip within 1/10th of a second when surface conditions cause loss of traction on some of the wheels.

Besides ARDIS, the J7 also Bosch IPB (Integrated Power Brake) intelligent brake-by-wire, which simulates the locking capability of a differential lock. The IPB is a vacuum-independent, electro-hydraulic solution that combines brake force boosting and electric stability control functionality in a single unit. It is said to offer the highest dynamics with system weight and complexity reduced to a minimum.

Tyres also matter a lot
However, it should also be understood that tyres play a very important role. On the highway, they provide the vital grip to hold the car to the road when cornering at high speeds. Off road, the speeds may be low but ground conditions are varied – and often soft. In this case, the tyres must provide grip by ‘biting’ into the ground. For this reason, the ‘hardcore’ off-road tyres have pronounced tread blocks gain more traction on mud and sand.

The dual-purpose tyres on most SUVs, including the J7, are fine for moderate off-road terrain that most owners will encounter. Those who are more adventurous are likely to know that they need the right tyres and not expect the standard tyres to keep them from getting stuck.

‘Pro’ assistance for drivers
Tyres notwithstanding, even inexperienced drivers can take the J7 off-road and drive like a pro as there are 7 pre-programmed modes to optimise engine and drivetrain characteristics to suit different conditions. These can be easily selected even while moving and there are also cameras that provide views of not only the areas around the vehicle but also under it, allowing precise placement of wheels or avoiding obstacles like holes or rocks.

The J7, which will be launched in the near future, will be priced at between RM150,000 and RM160,000, with 2-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions available. Bookings can now be made at authorised JAECOO dealers throughout Malaysia.