Jaecoo has officially announced that it will launch two new J5 models in South Africa this August.
The Chinese carmaker confirmed plans to introduce the new J5 SHS (Super Hybrid System) and J5 BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) to round out the vehicle’s drivetrain lineup.
Combined with the existing internal combustion engine (ICE) units, the J5 will be available with one of three powerplants when the new models arrive later this year.
“The imminent arrival of the J5 SHS and J5 BEV marks an exciting new chapter for our brand in South Africa,” said Shannon Gahagan, National Brand and Marketing Manager for Omoda & Jaecoo South Africa.
“With the J5 now available in ICE, hybrid and fully electric form, the range is better positioned than ever to meet the varied needs of local motorists.”
“Importantly, these new models allow us to bring a more premium-feeling ownership experience into the affordable electrified space, offering customers advanced technology, strong efficiency and generous specification without losing sight of value.”
Jaecoo’s cheapest hybrid and electric models
As a reminder, the J5 is the company’s entry-level vehicle, slotting below the J7 at a starting price of R339,900.
The ICE units already on sale in South Africa are equipped with a CVT transmission and a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which delivers 115kW and 230Nm.
In contrast, the incoming SHS is a hybrid electric vehicle that pairs the 1.5-litre engine with a small electric motor, a 1.83kWh battery, and a dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT).
The end result is an output of 165kW and 295Nm, meaning the SHS is significantly more powerful than the standard models.
Despite the added power, the SHS achieves an average claimed fuel consumption of 5.3l/100km, giving it a range of over 900km on a single tank.
This is because the battery and e-motor can power the car at low speeds, greatly improving the efficiency of the SUV in typical urban driving conditions.
The full spec sheet will only be announced closer to the launch window, but Jaecoo did confirm a handful of features that motorists can look forward to.
Standard equipment will include things like black leather upholstery, a 13.2-inch infotainment screen, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a panoramic moonroof, a power-operated tailgate, dual-zone climate control and a six-speaker sound system.
It will also feature advanced driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.
While the automaker hasn’t confirmed the SHS’s price tag, we reckon it will be nearly identical to the R469,900 Omoda C5 SHS, which shares J5’s platform and powertrain.
Moving on, the second model heading our way is the J5 BEV, which will be Omoda & Jaecoo’s first electric car in South Africa.
It won’t be the first EV from a Chery brand, mind you, as the company recently launched iCAUR with two electric SUVs – the V23 and the 03T.
In any case, the new J5 will feature a single front-mounted e-motor generating 155kW and 288Nm, so it’ll be less powerful than the SHS, but not by much.
More importantly, it uses a 58.9kWh battery that can be recharged from 30% to 80% in 28 minutes using a DC fast charger.
The automaker stated that it will only confirm the vehicle’s range closer to launch, but a quick look at the models sold in Australia suggests that we can expect a WLTP range of around 400km.
It did, however, state that the BEV will feature all of the same items mentioned for the SHS, as well as a new eight-speaker sound system.
More information on the Jaecoo J5 SHS and BEV will be announced closer to the launch window this August.
Jaecoo J5 SHS
Jaecoo J5 BEV
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