2 new Chinese 4x4s launching in South Africa next month

Jetour has officially announced that the T1 and T2 SUVs will arrive in South Africa this October.

The Chinese automaker launched in our market one year ago in September 2024 with two vehicles – the Dashing and X70 Plus urban SUVs – which have seen considerably interest from consumers.

In less than a year, Jetour has already established itself as one of the top 15 best-selling car brands in the country, outperforming legacy badges like Mazda, Honda, and Volvo.

This is only the beginning, too, as the company has an ambitious road map for South Africa that includes several new products, starting with the T1 and T2.

In contrast to the Dashing and X70, the T-badged models are off-road vehicles that will compete in South Africa’s hotly-contested Adventure SUV segment.

They have a boxy design similar to many of their competitors, often drawing visual comparisons to models like the Land Rover Defender.

The two SUVs actually share a platform and use the same engine, as the main differentiator comes down to their size.

Jetour stated that the T1’s smaller size makes it better-suited for the city, while the T2 excels at “light off-road adventures.”

Importantly, it also said that both models “can have all-wheel-drive,” implying that the 4×4 option is reserved for the higher specifications.

A new direction for Jetour

Jetour will only announce the vehicles’ local specifications at launch, but we previously had the chance to preview the T1 and T2 at the Shanghai Auto Show earlier this year.

Assuming South Africa receives the same options, motorists can expect two turbocharged petrol engines.

The base units have a 1.5-litre block good for 135kW and 290Nm, which sends power down to the front wheels.

Alternatively, there’s a larger 2.0-litre mill with 187kW and 390Nm, which should be paired with the brand’s “X Wheel Drive” 4×4 system.

A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission handles the gear changes.

Other bundu-bashing additions include a central and rear diff lock, hill descent control, Creeping Mode (off-road cruise control), and seven driving and terrain modes, comprising Economy, Normal, Sport, Snow, Mud, Rock, and X Smart.

We’ll have to wait for Jetour to reveal the cars’ full equipment sheets, but expect both models to feature large alloy wheels, LED headlights, two-tone leather upholstery, a multifunction leather steering wheel, automatic climate control, a wireless charging pad, a digital driving display, and a large floating infotainment screen.

They should also come with an expansive driver aid suite with functions like lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

More information on the Jetour T1 and T2, such as their pricing and model selection, will be announced next month.