When you can buy the new Jaecoo J7 plug-in hybrid in South Africa

Motorists will be able to get their hands on the new Jaecoo J7 SHS less than a month from now in June 2025.

The Chinese automaker confirmed that the new model will arrive next month, marking the start of a series of exciting new launches for the Omoda and Jaecoo brands.

The SHS is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the J7 SUV that debuted last year, making it the second vehicle to bear the Jaecoo logo in South Africa.

“The J7 SHS represents a significant step forward for the Jaecoo brand in South Africa,” said Shannon Gahagan, National Brand and Marketing Manager for Omoda & Jaecoo South Africa.

“It brings together performance, efficiency and premium comfort in a way that meets the evolving needs of today’s drivers – whether they’re looking to reduce emissions, save on fuel, or simply enjoy the flexibility of an electrified drive.”

What to expect

The J7 PHEV will be the first model in South Africa to feature the brand’s Super Hybrid System (SHS) platform.

The core of this system is a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which is actually smaller than the 1.6-litre turbo found on the J7 units already on sale.

Of course, the main difference is that the SHS also has an electric motor, which works in tandem with the combustion engine to produce a healthy 255kW and 525Nm.

For comparison, the non-hybrid Jaecoo generates 145kW and 290Nm, meaning the SHS is significantly more powerful.

The added force is not the only advantage of the PHEV, however, as it also features an 18.3kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery.

This power cell connects to the e-motor and is large enough to afford an electric driving range of 90km.

In practice, this means owners will be able to perform daily tasks like driving to work using just the battery, saving on fuel in the process.

Jaecoo claims that the SUV has an average fuel consumption of 4.4l/100km, which allows for a maximum driving range of 1,200km when the battery’s extra distance is factored in.

Charging the battery is also very straightforward, as it is possible to top up the cells from 30 to 80% in 20 minutes when using a 40kW DC fast charger.

The carmaker has yet to officially announce the pricing or specifications of the SHS, though it did state that includes all of the usual refinements found on the existing J7 roster.

Assuming that the SHS has the same equipment sheet as the range-topping Inferno trim level, buyers can expect a lot of bang for their buck.

This includes automatic LED lights, 19-inch alloy wheels, smart door handles, leather upholstery, electric front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, an eight-speaker Sony stereo, a heads-up display, a wireless smartphone charger, an electric tailgate, a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, and a 14.8-inch infotainment system with smartphone pairing.

It will also be bundled with an advanced driver assistance suite, comprising functions such as a 360-degree camera, parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert.

More information on the Jaecoo J7 SHS will be announced closer to its launch next month.